I've Got the Faith...Now Where are the Deeds?

Martin Luther King Jr. said that life's most persistent and urgent question is:

"What are you doing for others?"

Have you ever read a Bible verse and felt the Holy Spirit kind of slap you on the wrist a little? As I sat in my office today I felt compelled to open up the Bible and just begin reading. I spent about thirty minutes just scanning through verses and books. Then my eyes gazed across James chapter 2 and I read these words...

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

After reading these words I became very convicted. I asked myself the question "How many people have I helped in the last week? month? year?" The truth is, not very many. Sure I help people at church do Bible studies and I help the youth group grow closer to Christ. But I think the deeds that James is talking about here is more than that. I think he is talking about helping the helpless.

James even goes on to say that demons have faith. The fact is that faith without deeds is useless. Now I know prayer is effective, and God answers prayer. But if our works stop at prayer then there is a problem. You see, how good is it to pray for the poor, homeless, and hungry but then to never actually do something about it? Just the other day I passed a man pushing a shopping cart carrying what seemed to be all of his possessions. My heart went out to that man, I felt bad for him. But folks God does not call us to feel bad for people...He calls us to help them.

So my question for you today is the same question that James and MLK knew was so important.

What are you doing for others?

Lord, give us faith that surpasses belief. A faith where we not only believe, but we respond.

This is by far the coolest video I have ever seen

Ultrasound

A few weeks ago Karen and I nervously visited the doctor expecting to get the first view of little baby Gardner.  First, let me say that ultrasounds are amazing.  It is absolutely crazy what is going on in my wife's stomach.  God completely blew my mind when I saw my baby and heard its heart beat.  So we thought we would share this moment of amazement with you.  

So the upside down thing in that black bubble is baby Gardner.  If you look closely you can see little arm and leg buds.  The top picture is the baby's heartbeat, which was really fast at 182 beats per minute, but the doctor said it was OK.  So in another month or so we can find out the sex of the baby...so be sure to stay tuned for more pics and info.

Also, if you think about us please pray for our new family.  Pray for the baby and its development, pray for Karen because she gets sick a lot, and pray for Karen and I as we prepare to be parents.  Thanks ya'all!

JG

Christ Alone...

Something beautiful happened this morning in church, in my heart, and many others around me. The Holy Spirit was surely in the pews at First Church. As we began to sing our worship songs I was filled with so much joy :) (I thought maybe it was because I got to hold Maleah during the service) But I know that it was clearly the Holy Spirit putting the joy in my heart.

When we started singing In Christ Alone I knew the tears would start flowing soon! So I prepared myself and said a prayer for the congregation. I asked God to let the words of that song flood our hearts with praise and speak to us in a new way even after hearing it so many times. And so it did, with hands raised in surrender, with hearts open to Him, I could not imagine that one heart was not tugged by the Spirit. Shouts of Joy came from the back, as people began going forward to kneel at His feet at the altar. I would want to personally thank ever person in church this morning for letting their hearts be captured by our God.

It breaks my heart when I think about what Christ did for us on the cross. To know that every sin was laid on Him and to know that he took that pain for us puts tears in my eyes. But then to know that there is no guilt, no fear, no pain, because of the Power of Christ  is the most comforting feeling. Let these words speak to you as they did to me this morning!


In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand


My heart is filled with praise for The King :)


Let me tell you it didn't stop after the sining. For those of you who don't know, my husband has a gift. His gift is preaching :) I am so glad to be a part of that as his wife. He truly lets the Lord speak to him as he prepares and through him as he delivers! He spoke on the book of Haggi (Tough book to preach on, but its what he felt led to speak). He talked about priorities in our lives, and how we should make God #1. Over our families, over our jobs, over our hobbies, and over all the good things we think we are doing and that we are involved in. I think that it is really easy to say that our #1 priority is God because that is what is expected from Christians. But I can tell you that it is a daily battle to keep this true. My relationship with Jordan is so amazing that sometimes I think it would be hard to say, "Lord, I put you #1 in my life over Jordan." (You have no clue how many times i just hit backspace!) Do I really mean it? YES. I do, but I want to live it. I want to put him before our work in the youth group, my worries about student loans, before my work which I love, before my family, before everything I do and love! 

I challenge you all to look at your priorities in life and make God #1 for real :)

KRG

Back to the Beginning....

For those of you who didn’t know, Jordan is taking masters classes through IWU's new Online Masters of Divinity program! So he will be working hard for the next 3 years while he is in Seminary!!! This created an opportunity to come back to Indiana Wesleyan for a week...back to the beginning of our lives together. As our friend Chris Mieksell puts it...where the magic happened. Jordan has classes from 8:30 am- 5:00pm! Talk about a rough schedule. My schedule is quite easy and quite relaxing though. :) I have gotten up with him, taken him to school, and then I go work out for 2 hours at the Rec. I have spent the rest of my days reading by the fire place at McConn Coffee Shop. This is where I spent countless hours studying and reading for my 4 years at IWU.

So nestled in my comfy fire side chair with a nice raspberry white mocha I found myself completing my first book of the week. The Five Love Languages written by Gary Chapmen. I was given this book as a gift from Jennifer Lee who was my prayer partner at The OAKS Camp! She is an incredible woman, mother, and wife!!! She gave me this book knowing the Lord would use it in my life as I am finding out how I can better love others and how I can be filled with love more!
So getting back to the beginning of things seems to be the theme for the last few days....the author talks about how there is this "falling in love experience" at the beginning of marriage and for most couples it dies out within 2 years. I am wondering if this is the reason Jordan and I have heard so many complaints about marriage. You probably know all the jokes if you have been married or are engaged...you might even say these kinds of things!
ex. "You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into."

"You have only ____ days of freedom left!" (If you’re engaged)

"The ball and chains joke" (I never really caught on to that one)

There are so many more jokes that we have heard that are so awful. Most people might take these lightly and brush them off and hope that they will never feel that way or that it is just normal for life to take that direction. The people who tell the jokes may often end with a...."I'm just playing with you" but to tell you the truth, I doubt they really are "just playing." But maybe these jokes are told because for so many married couples their love has seemed to "die down" and that crazy in-love obsession that they once had has turned into a constant struggle to get back to how they once felt about each other. I wonder if they even know how to try to mend things the right way...the unselfish way! "Love is not about you, its a choice to love. That choice may involve something you hate to do!"

Jordan and I have talked to one another about how we can never let our love for each other get to a point of disappointment and let that fire burn out. Here is the most important lesson I got out of this book...

"We can recognize the falling in-love experience for what it was--a temporary emotional high--and now pursue "real love" with our spouse. That kind of love is emotional in nature but not an obsession. It is a love that unites reason and emotion. It involves an act of the will and requires discipline, and it recognizes the need for personal growth."

To pursue this real love experience for the rest of my life, I have realized it will take effort! Thankfully I read this book now! I have not moved out of that "in-love" obsession yet and have in no way close to letting the fire burn out...but I am happy that I now understand why I see so many unhappy marriages and have gained tools for preventing destruction from happening. I truly believe that this book could revolutionize your marriage or prepare you for a marriage full of "real love". The 5 Love Languages is in my top 10 favorite books, I challange anyone who wants to know how to love better to read this book!!!!

KRG

Top 10 Junk Food Obsessions

I will be the second to tell you (my wife will be the first) that I am a sucker for junk food.  When it comes to junk food i am a simple man...  I like it sweet and sugary.  Christmas is one time of the year when I go absolutely nuts on an assortment of tasty treats, often leading to sleepless nights and tooth aches.  So in light of this candy eating season I have created my top ten list of junk food greatness...

10.  Skittles.  A safe choice for adults and children everywhere.  High in sugar and even higher in fruitiness, this timeless candy joins generations by helping everyone get a little taste of the rainbow.

9.  Reese's.  I have never eaten a Reese's and not had an overload of saliva in my mouth.  This mouth watering snack is perfect for that chocolate or peanut butter crave.  And seeing as how there is two in a pack, it is the perfect snack to share with a friend.

8.  Twizzlers.  The perfect name for the perfect snack.  Twizzlers is the type of candy that makes you say "just one more" then realize later that you destroyed an entire bag in 5 minutes.

7.  Almond Joy. This gift from God perfectly combines two of my favorite foods, coconuts and almonds.  Add in the delicious chocolate outer shell and this snack is sure to send your taste buds into orbit.

6.  Jolly Ranchers.  Whether its in sucker form, a jelly bean, a chewable, or regular hard candy it never lets me down.  A great snack to eat in class or church because of its ability to remain quiet makes this snack ideal for on the go circumstances.  Just throw a pack in your book bag or stuff a few in your pocket and you have mouth watering goodness all day long.

5.  Peanut butter cookies.  Anything with peanut butter is good, but these cookies take that peanut butter taste to a new level.  Perfect with a glass of milk and some conversation with family, this treat never disappoints.

4.  German Chocolate Cake.  I'm not a huge fan of chocolate cake but there is something about the icing that makes this cake great.  Add a glass of cold milk sit back and feel your stomach begin to grow.

3. Twix.  A cookie bar with both caramel and chocolate goodness.  This junk food is smooth and creamy as well as rich and chewy at the same time.

2.  Starbursts.  I usually hate the color pink, but not when it comes to starbursts.  With many different assortments of flavors to choose from there is a color for everyone.  Warning: Extremely Chewy!

And finally, the best junk food snack of all time...

1.  No Bake Cookies.  If God was hungry this is what he would breathe into existence.  With oats, peanut butter and cocoa this snack delivers every time.  Sit down with a gigantic glass of milk and enjoy an entire batch...don't worry, they are good for you too (ok I might have lied about that, but who cares, the taste is worth every pound.)

You may not agree with my list, but you have to agree with one thing...Junk food is good.
What is your favorite junk food?

JG

Dearly Loved

  Last night I was reminded of God's love and joy that comes from being in ministry. Especially youth ministry! We had our practice of the Christmas service, made some fun videos, worked on skits, and all that good stuff. Just being filled with Christams spirit puts a huge smile on my face! But what touched me last night happened on the car ride home. Jordan and I pieck up Dalton, Andrew, and Alischa for every chruch and youth event! They love coming to church and have come so far in their faith. Dalton had told me he wanted to sing "Dearly Loved" by Jimmy Needham in church sometime. Honestly I just laughed...it was a great thought but I had no clue he was serious, even liked his music and could even sing at all. So I told him he had to sing to me in the car so I could hear his voice. Jordan and I pray over this kids life, that God will set a spark in his heart. So to hear this boy without hesitation sing a song so beautiful and with words so true made my heart sing with Joy! The words say..."Dont you know that you are, dearly loved."

 As he sang, his brother and  sister began to sing as well. All 3 of them have wonderful voices and as they were singing I could not hold back the tears. I looked back and saw something in each of their faces. I saw 3 kids who have just begun their journey walking with Christ who now know that they are "Dearly Loved." We ask God for a spark but last night I saw a flame! My heart is filled with Joy! I pray that you watch people...if you have kids or hear anyone talk about God, soften your heart and be alert because knowing that a child knows our maker can be one of the sweetest blessings we can receive and you don't want to miss out on that!

Listen to this song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3IdRkylxaI


"Please lay down your arrows
For they're sure to pierce the skin
And water from a broken well
Will make you thirst again
When all things you've acquired
Are tested by the flames
And you can see them melting
Then will you call his name

It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved

To the slaughters you are being led
Being told that it's a party
That this God is in your head
And every single lie
Sounds just like the greatest truth
But the one truth you're not hearing
Is that he died for you

No greater joy
No greater peace
No greater love than this

It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved "

KG

"Conversations with God"

There is a book out that in recent weeks has been on the top of the New York Times bestseller list. It is there not because of its title which contains "God" in it, but probably because it is backed and pushed by Oprah. In this book there is a series of questions each followed by an answer that more often than not has nothing to do with Biblical truth. For example, one question asks about God's forgiveness of sin, to which the author replies that there is nothing to forgive because there is no such thing as absolute truth. Another question asks "Why am I a lesbian?" to which the author answers she was born that way (just as if she was born right handed or with brown eyes. The author also says she should go out and "celebrate" her differences. Another question is about a couple living together before marriage. The authors answer is that they have sinned against no one because they have done nothing wrong in living together before marriage.

Get the point yet? This book is a straight up attack from the devil. It teaches New Age spirituality and implies there is no sin and that recognizing God only comes from recognizing ourselves. It also teaches that the death of Christ has no meaning and that the Creator and creation come only from your wholeness, sanity, and limitless power. Did I mention it was a New York Times bestseller?

This book is even being sold in schools through the Scholastics Book Club. It is a book that on the outside may look good, but on the inside is filled with lies. This is an extremely dangerous book, both to our faith and to our world. It is the devil's way of getting sinners to justify their actions. Don't fall into this trap. There is only one way to truly obtain Life and that is through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." As Christians, we must be aware of these lies so we don't fall into the trap of the devil. It is sad to hear of books like this polluting the minds of our culture.

Let me know what you think...

JG