YGT: The Moment's Moment

Beyond the visceral, beyond the visible, beyond the veil

Behind the veneer, behind the valance, the moment waits.

The time is near.

It is brooding, pulsing, breathing heavily,

Anticipating it’s grand entrance.

It enters the stage to little fanfare.

This is the moment’s moment.



It’s voice quivers, then strengthens,

Bolstered by preparation and hope.

Once an afterthought, an unknown, a nobody,

The moment now invites attention.



Judgmental judges judge and critical critics critique,

But the moment doesn’t care.

Despite it’s worthy display, it doesn’t grandstand,

After the final bow, there is no encore.



The moment exits behind the curtain,

Beyond the visceral, beyond the visible, beyond the veil...

Hoping someone has taken notice of it’s presence.



-j.a.g.

Lord, we thank You for every moment and every opportunity.  Please give us wisdom to sense when the moment has arrived.  You are great, You are God... In Christ's precious name, Amen.

YGT: Top 5 Posts of 2012 (so far)

This year, I started out on a journey to chronicle great thoughts that were the source of great sermons.  That led to a weekly post with the thought for that week.  Here's the top five posts* that currently DON'T appear in popular posts on the right of the page.  These posts were taken from January 1 - June 1: 

1. Thank You, Dr. Watson
2. What's more Disgusting than a Wet Willy?
3. The Chronicles of Naptime
4. The Problem with Romney's Taxes
5. Christianity > USA

Check them out if you'd like.  Here's the Bottom 5!

Lord, thank You for the opportunity to document my random thoughts.  I love that You love me and call me Your own.  In Christ's name, Amen.

Blessings,

j.a.g.

*by numbers of times they've been viewed

YGT: Permanently Pressing (The Good Life)

How do we get the good life?  

Well, that depends on your idea of "good". We often believe that a good life is one where we're "happy" - where we don't have to worry about anything. However, if we define our lives by God's standards, the good life is not an easy life. You see, God's definition of good is quite different. 

Paul gives us a hint of this when he said "this one thing will I do" in Philippians 3:13-14.  He said he will PRESS. One of the definitions of press in Greek is to pursue in a hostile manner.  That means to work, scratch, crawl, kick, bleed, and sweat your way to your destination.  

Many of us can relate to what it means to press.  Everyday our lives seem like we are in a battle as we try to live for God.  It is my belief that the pressing we do each day is good to God.  Paul said it better when he said at the end of his life he wants to be able to say "he fought the good fight of faith."  Or in other words, that he pressed.  

Our social expectations and childhood fantasies have painted a picture of the good life that was never given by God.  I like to imagine that God is looking down, watching us press each day, and longing to say "Well done, my good and faithful servant".  When God says you've lived a good life, that's when you know you've attained it.  Until then, this one thing will I do...

Lord, please help us to be strong and continue living for you.  Help us press.  Please be with us when we would like to give up on the journey.  We desire to know You, but it is hard.  We desire to live for You, but it is painful.  We want to hear well done and to hear you call our lives good.  In Christ's name and for His sake, Amen.

In hostile pursuit,

j.a.g.

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Philippians 3:13-14Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 4:7

I have fought a good fight of faith, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Matthew 25:23

His lord said unto him, Well done good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

YGT: Give God a Break

Yesterday, I was driving home and began to get anxious as I approached our place. Jocelyn is home and it was her bedtime. Bedtime normally isn't a huge problem but last night Kadia (who Jocelyn adores) was over and Jocelyn always cries when she leaves. And once she starts crying at bedtime, its hard to get her to stop. The crying will usually continue throughout her bath, brushing her teeth, and putting on pajamas. As turned the final corner and parked the car, I could already see the scenario vividly in my mind. Lord, I breathed, please don't let this be a rough night... Can I please have a break tonight?...


I went inside and the craziest thing happened - Jocelyn didn't cry. She wasn't happy to see Kadia leave of course, but she handled it really well. She laughed her way into the bathroom and asked me to play the song "Chasing After You" by William Murphy. We listened to the song at least 4 times as she sang and danced through brushing her teeth and putting on her pajamas. We laughed and laughed. When it was time to say her prayers (which can also be an interesting time of night - sometimes she's feeling up for it, sometimes not), Mommy came home. Jocey asked Mommy to pray with her and I was able to go sit on the couch and rest.


Wow, what a great night, I thought.




For one night, I got a break from being the father of a child who can be needy, moody, and irritable. Instead, I was able to witness my child make me smile and laugh. If you can, try reading this post again and substitute yourself for the child and God for the father. I imagine it'll be no different. Like a three year old at bedtime, we can be pretty whiny. Let's allow God to rejoice in us laughing heartily, dancing mightily, and singing freely (yes, even trying to hit those notes you'd never sing in public, lol). Give God a break!



Lord, sorry I cry and complain so much.  I know you understand and I know you'll be there because You love me, but I'm still sorry.  Thank You for everything!


Nothing,
j.a.g.







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Genesis 2:2
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.

YGT: My Summer Internship (Like Writing in the Sand)

This summer I have been serving as a chaplain intern at a youth development center in North Carolina. In our summer experience, we write reflection papers on our experience. Below is an excerpt...


One of the ways we (former intern Jeremy Simmons and I) tried to bring hope was starting a gospel choir. We meet, talk, and sing songs that focus on Christ and forgiveness. Before one of our rehearsals this summer, my friend and fellow intern, Justin read Romans 8:1 (there is therefore now no condemnation...)the boys spontaneously began asking questions about the Bible, church, and God. They had questions about Christians serving in the military, abortion, using God’s name in vain, and unforgivable sin. We spent nearly our entire rehearsal time just talking about the Bible and their own thoughts. It was one of the most amazing moments I’ve seen in ministry.

This taught me a valuable lesson...

Besides prayer, our chief asset as chaplains is probably flexibility. My outline is not for God to fit into, but my goal is to try to fit into His outline. It’s become akin to writing in the sand by the shore; as long as the tide doesn’t come, the writing is discernible. But when the tide rushes in, be ready to change your plans.

As it's been said, if you ever want to hear God laugh... tell Him your plans.  I'm grateful to find out what ways God will continue to teach me and change my plans during my internship.

Lord, please give us the flexibility to roll with the punches...and the tides.  In Christ's name, Amen.

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Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.