New Series...

We are starting a new series at Seacoast James Island Student Ministries. It is called "What Goes Around". It's all about Karma vs. Grace.

Do you find yourself viewing God as a God who works in the business of karma? Do you think, "God, if you will give me _____, then I'll do _____ better." or "God, you will never let me ______, because I have ________ in my past!"

Sometimes as Christians we think God rewards only those who are worthy of the reward, and punishes only those who are deserving of punishment. But we forget about GRACE!

"From the fullness of his grace, we have all recieved one blessing after another, for the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:16-17 NIV)

Come learn with us. See how God is a god of grace and mercy, and is always in the business of grace over karma.

Seacoast James Island (Check it out)

I am terrible...

I keep up with people via email, text messaging, twitter, and follow others blogs...

But I can't seem to consistently keep MY blog up to date!

I don't know why!

Oh well, here is another attempt at starting to blog again.

AG

Chapped lips

Today is a turning point in the year. it is the first day that I have chapped lips! That's right... I have cold, crusty, skin flaky lips. They hurt. And that makes me excited for the winter and the holidays. That's right chapped lips makes me excited about Christmas... I know, random... but it does.

I am enjoying blogging again... I don't know if anyone still reads my blogs since I took like a three month Hyades from it. But I will write anyway, even if I am talking to a virtual wall. Speaking to a wall... where did that phrase come from... I know what it implies, but really... do you think someone has actually talked to a wall? I've talked to a dog before, but that at least looked at me when I spoke. It was at least coherent that I was there... A wall... man, some people must get bored. Kinda like I am right now... most of you are probably saying that about me... "Man he is random and must be extremely bored..."

Actually I just got back from helping a buddy move and it is 10 something in the evening and I missed my evening time with Miranda which makes me extremely unhappy and most likely cranky in the morning. She is my fix. My evenings with her watching Chuck and Heroes, or Ghost Hunters re-runes are the best times. She is so beautiful. Anyway, I gotta get up at like 5:30 in the morning for work so I'll let you go.

Oh by the way... what have you done for God's kingdom today?

AG

Humility

Did you know that the disciple John (who wrote the book of John) never mentioned himself directly in his book. The name "John" does appear 20 times in the book, but is never used to mention the author. It is also believed that the disciple John was very close to Jesus. This meaning even closer than other disciples. He was probably only 17 -19 years old when he started following Jesus. Maybe Jesus clung to him because of his youth. Maybe because he knew that John would be able to care for his mother after his death and ascension. Maybe he was close to John because he just clicked with him. Regardless of why they were so close, the question remains, why did John never mention himself in his Gospel writing?

Many Christians find that they go through certain stages in there lives with Jesus. One stage I know I went through and sometimes still flirt with, is forgetting why I do and love ministry. You see, John saw the bigger picture. His gospel wouldn't be remembered for who he (John) was. It would be the starting point for many Christians biblical reading because of who Jesus was and is.

As people living in and of this world we live with tremendous pride. But one stage of regeneration through Christ MUST BE HUMILITY! We will not be remembered for who we are as people, but who we influence for eternity through JESUS!

We as Christians MUST remind ourselves to be disciples of John's awesome humility. One thing I pray often before I go into a ministry situation is that it wouldn't bring me glory, but would bring Him glory.

"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30

Pride to Humility.

AG

My Pending Promotion

A few weeks ago we saw a video at Seacoast Church called "Cardboard Testimonies". The idea is not new. You basically get people from your church to hold up cardboard boxes with writing on them. One side says what they came from, and the other says what God has transformed them into. We had things in our video like "drug addicted gang banger"/"Spirit filled small group leader", or "Raped, ashamed, depressed"/"Loved, Adored, Happy". The video really caught me off guard. I have a burden on my heart to see dramatic life change like this, and to be used by God to help these transformations occur, but sometimes when I see things like it, it simply breaks me. To have a calling into ministry is not simply something that would be "cool", or a "fun job". It seriously is a burden!

When I was called into ministry in 2005, I didn't really tell many people my plans... mainly due to the fact that I didn't know how God was going to do it. I have a family of four and a youth pastors salary to say the least is... nothing to brag about. But I reserved in my heart that he would provide when the time is right. I am in the military and will not get out until July 2011 so I knew I had a little while for God to work out the details. When I did tell people what I was doing I got responses like "how are you going to survive financially?" or "Are you sure that is what God wants you to do? You won't make any money". And those responses were from CHRISTIANS, so you can imagine what I got from non-Christians.

What I am getting at is the fact that I get very frustrated and I actually doubt myself because of these reactions I get from people. I know in my heart that God will provide, and I don't really care about wealth as long as my family is taken care of.

One of the cardboard testimonies in this video was one that said "Wealthy CEO" on the front and "Promoted to Youth Pastor" on the back. When I saw that I lost it. Right in the middle of service I began to cry like a little baby. To see that attitude in another person is really reassuring. You see, I don't see leaving the military as a demotion in pay or benefits, I see it as a promotion to what God intended me to do.

In three years I get my promotion, from working on multi million dollar defensive avionics systems on the C-17 aircraft, to a Youth Pastor. I can't wait!

AG

Andy's New Look

Well, it is official. My son got glasses.

We noticed about 4 months ago that he was covering up one eye while looking at things. We didn't think much about it, but then about two months ago it became more consistent. Then over the past month... it was every time he watched TV and whenever he specifically looked at something. We asked him why he was covering an eye and he replied "So I can see it better." Simple answer, simple conclusion. Miranda made an eye appointment and the doc said he has 20/100 vision.

Previous to this event, I never looked down on people who wore glasses. They are normal people and I never looked at them differently. This was different. I must admit, at first, I was like "Not my son! He is perfect! How dare the doc say there is something wrong with him!". **Again, if you wear glasses, don't take this personal** It took me a couple days to come to grips with the idea that he needed glasses. As a father, I just assume that my son will be better/healthier than I. It is natural. I guess these things make us re-evaluate that concept. We picked up his glasses on Friday and he loves wearing them. He says he can see a lot better now. We have tested it and he really can see better. Without his glasses he can't tell how many fingers we hold up at about 10 feet away. With them on, he gets it right every time.

Above all, he is absolutely adorable with them. I love him so much!

The Blood

Have you ever felt like you have been climbing a hill for a long time and can finally see the peak right in front of you? The past six months have been so refreshing for my family. We have gone through a lot, but most has been so good! God has blessed me with so much (My newborn daughter, and buying the new house is probably the coolest). I still feel like I am climbing, but seeing God bless your life right in front of your face is so amazing! Most of the time it is easy to see God looking back at your life past, and hard to see him in the present and future. Not now... this season in my life I can actually say I can clearly see His hand at work in my past, present, and future!



With that said, yesterday I saw how quickly that could be altered. Miranda and I were on our way down to James Island to give blood at our church. We did not have the kids with us. We were at the intersection of I-526 and Highway 17. Turning left onto 17 we had a red light. It turned green and I hit the gas. The car next to us honked his horn (I assume to get my attention) and as I looked to my left, a car barrelled through the red light from my left running the red light at about 50 MPH. I hit my brake just in time to have him zoom right past the front of my car. If it weren't for that guy to my left honking, I would have been T-Boned... and I don't think it would have felt to good. Kind of ironic that I was going to give blood, and had a near death (or at least a near "bad accident") experience.



The bible teaches that it is the blood of Christ that gives us life and redeems us:

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18, 19)



"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" (Heb 9:14)



Pastor Joey made the announcement on Sunday asking us to give blood this week. He said something that made me look up and pay attention (that is big for a guy with A.D.D.). He said something like this... 'If we call ourselves Christians, then giving blood is one of the most practical way to show the love of Christ since it was the giving of His blood that saved us!' Me giving blood yesterday may not have led someone directly to Christ, but just maybe it saved someones life and gave them more time on this earth to hear and experience Jesus... and maybe that person will later give their life to Jesus.



Two things I want you to get out of this post: First, it is because of the shedding of Jesus' blood that we can call ourselves Christians. Second, if you are a Christian... I think you should feel obligated to give blood, since it was His blood that saved you.



If you would like to give blood, South Carolina is in great need right now. Please visit the American Red Cross website and sign up today at a local blood drive. Just as Pastor Joey said on Sunday... Most of you will simply say "Yeah, I am going to do that!" and then never do it. If you said while reading this that you are going to do that. Do me and the person your blood might save a favor, STOP what your doing right now and go to the website and find out how to give blood right now. Do not wait. They need your blood. Thanks!



In His Blood,

AG