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

Seattle Sounders FC

I am so pumped! Earlier this year, Major League Soccer (MLS) announced plans to start a new franchise in Seattle Washington. As most of you know, I am a Seattle sports fan... Mariners, Sonics, Seahawks, etc. But most of all, I am a soccer fan. So the fact that a MLS team is coming to call Seattle home, pumps me up. On Monday they announced that their name will be the Seattle Sounders FC (FC = Football Club). For you uninformed Americans... Football is the original soccer game. America just stole the name and used it for gridiron football. Miranda and I have an opportunity to get stationed in Tacoma WA come this summer, which is a twin city to Seattle. If we get orders there I told Miranda that I am getting season tickets. They are playing at Qwest Field (home of the Seahawks) which is a beautiful stadium. For more info on the Seattle Sounders, click here.

AG

Army Wives

So I got a chance to be a movie star today. My buddy was an extra in the filming of "Army Wives" (TV series on Lifetime), and he asked if I'd like to come along today. I said sure! It was really cool actually. We checked in, went through wardrobe, make-up, briefings, and then started to shoot! My character was an Army Airborne Ranger. Kind of ironic seeing how I am in the Air Force! :) It was really weird wearing an Army uniform. I filmed for about 5 hours and made about $100. The episode will air as the second episode of the upcoming second season. it starts in June 2008 on Lifetime. If you are wanting to look for me, I am in the formation of soldiers outside the headquarters building as some chick is giving a speech on safety. Also, I am directly behind the lady when she is spilling the news that she is pregnant to her boss. I am reading a file on the porch of that scene. Anyway, a lot of fun, and I got paid! The really cool thing is they told me that they want me to come back Tuesday night for some more filming. They took head shots of me and had me fill out a casting application. They told me that I fit the type of person that they really need for extras. Kinda corny, but I liked it... and I get paid like 16 bucks an hour. I could use a little extra cash! Anyway, I am going to take my cell phone on Tuesday and Mobile Blog so you all can see this movie star in action! Watch out John Travolta! Step aside Mike Meyers! Andy Gill is in da house!

AG

This Ticked Me Off!

Please click here to read a story that really made me mad... No offense to anyone from California... but I can not stand them! Tell me what you think.

AG

Connect - Ski Retreat 2008

So, tomorrow I leave with WAVES student ministry to go to Tennessee for our annual ski retreat. Hear are a few thoughts before I leave:

1. This is my first ski retreat with WAVES, and I am hoping that there isn't any initiation... trust me I have served at many youth ministry's and they do this sort of thing to newbies.

2. I am really jacked about one of the games we are playing. We will get it on camera and Ill post it on here.

3. I am leading the middle school cabin... please pray for me... really!

4. Along the same subject... Sunday night at youth group I reminded all middle schoolers to bring deodorant, and also reminded them they actually have to wear it.

5. I have only been skiing once in my life about 11 years ago, and snowboarded once about 4 years ago. Also pray I come back with no broken limbs.

6. While we are talking about praying... please pray that our encounter time (Thursday and Friday night services) goes well, and God challenges the kids.

7. We are calling it Connect with an iPod theme. And yes, the rumors are true... we will be giving away a few iPod Shuffles.

8. Jeremiah doesn't often get mentioned enough... He really has worked hard on this retreat and I know God is going to use him mightily on this trip. He truly has a heart for God and these kids.

9. In my cabin I also have Matt and Kathy Beam, and Donna (I don't know her last name) as cabin staff. They are really awesome people to take time out of their schedules to help out with this trip. Donna is our medically trained person... hopefully we won't need to use those skills of hers. Kathy is cooking... for everyone! GOD BLESS HER!!!

10. I really am looking forward to this trip and what God is going to do. But, I really will miss my wife Miranda, Little Andy, and baby Ainsley. I was on the road last week for business, this week for the trip, and next week I'll be on the road for business again. My wife really does an awesome job with the house and kids and I don't nearly thank her enough. You are awesome babe, and I thank God for putting you in my path of life.

Well, that's it for now! I'll post when I get back!

AG

A Soldier’s Silent Night

I heard this on the radio today. I am sure many of you have heard it. Please listen as it Really tells a good story. Click the link below to here the audio.

Click Here -----> "A Soldier's Silent Night"

Thanks for listening.

AG

I Elf'ed My Family!

Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1592851792


This is hilarious! Especially Little Andy! Enjoy!

Signature Riffs

Every now and then I like to re-post a blog that I read that really spoke to me. Pastor Furtick hit the nail on the head when he blogged this: Click here

Every Christian should have his or her own Riff. What truth about God/Jesus inspires you to be a Christian. What one life lesson do you want to empress on other Christians.

My Christian Riff: Mine would have to be that as Christians, our lives should reflect our decision to follow Christ. Others should be able to see who Jesus is by how we live, not just by what we say. If I ever looked at my own life, and could not see Christ... I'd reevaluate my priorities.

Sign in!

I want to know what you think of my Blogspot as a whole. I love reading comments on specific blog entries, but want also to hear from you on why you keep reading my page. Please feel free to sign in by clicking the "Post a Comment" link below and entering your name, how you found my blog, and why you keep reading. Feel free to speak your mind. That is what I do. Thanks and look forward to hearing from you!

AG

Steven Furtick Said This...

This is the Pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC. I frequent his blog and love how knowledgable he is on the things of God. Here is a blog that I absolutely loved from the other day. I want to make it clear that these are NOT my words. It is linked and posted on my blog from Pastor Steve's blog. If you want to read more of his blog, click here.

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Don’t put Jesus first
October 11th, 2007

The worst thing you can do as a Christian is to try and put Jesus first in your life. I know it sounds good, and Lord knows, I’ve said it plenty:Put Jesus first, your family second, your job third…But it’s a flawed paradigm.
Jesus doesn’t want to be first on your list. He doesn’t need your shout out.He’s not content to be first in your life.He insists on being the center of your life.
Putting Jesus first in my life means I kind of segregate Him from my other priorities.Making Him the center of my life means I integrate Him into every priority.
It’s not Jesus, then my family, then my job…It’s Jesus: in my family, in my job…
It’s not Jesus, then anything…It’s Jesus in everything!