The Story of Three Bullets

Someone sent me this story this week and I thought it was worth sharing with you:

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat.

He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away.

Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.

As he went further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused."

So, the man decided to listen to God's voice.

He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey. The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond. When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Moral of the story:

Pray first before you do anything, Aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God.

Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that…the past.

Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that He will not put you through any more than you can bear.

Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor.

Wait, be still and be patient: keep God first and everything else will follow.


A good friend of mine sent this to me earlier this week when I was having a particularly stressful day. It really put things in perspective for me and lifted my spirits. I hope it does the same for you.

May God Bless You Today!

--Eric G.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Do you ever get in a hurry? I sure do. Sometimes I have to hurry because of circumstances that are beyond my control, but I have recently discovered that most of my hurrying is my own fault.

I often speed while driving and I’m not so sure why. I honestly think that if I were scheduled to have my head chopped off, I would speed to my own beheading, just so I could die happy that I “made good time.” You’re probably laughing at me right now for saying that, but you know you do it too, don’t you? I mean, really…as soon as that traffic light turns green, we all floor it so we can be the first to make it to the next red light. Yippee…first in line.

This morning, I learned an interesting lesson about hurrying. I had just dropped off my children at school and I needed to fill my gas tank so, after checking the clock to make sure I had enough time, I pulled into a gas station. As I was pumping my gas (Gotta love that “pay at the pump” option…yet another way to hurry up!), I noticed the incredible amount of pollen that has built up on my car over the past few weeks. Once again glancing at my watch, I decided that I had enough time for a quick run through the car wash, as long as it was QUICK.

I chose the “carwash” option (once again, at the pump), grabbed my receipt, and pulled the car around to the car wash as quickly as I could. I punched in the code, pulled on in, and before long had a nice, shiny car. A quick glance at the clock: 20 minutes to get to work…plenty of time, if I hurry.

As I was driving down the Eastern Bypass (dumb name…it doesn’t “bypass” anything), I noticed a disturbing sound coming from my passenger-side rear fender. It was sort of a “clank, clank” sound. "Uh-oh. This can’t be good. I wonder what it could be?" I finally decided that I needed to pull over and take a look.

It was my radio antenna.

Guess who forgot to put the antenna down because he was in such a blasted hurry? That’s right…the igmo that’s writing this post. As a result, I ended up having to pull what was left of the antenna off the car, which got black grease all over my hands and my shirt. I then had to stop by my house to wash my hands and change shirts, then head on to work about 20 minutes late.

So what was it that messed everything up for me this morning? Was it the fact that I stopped for gas? Nope. I needed gas. Was it the car wash? Maybe, but not likely, since a quick glance at my watch told me I had plenty of time.

I screwed up this morning because I was in too much of a hurry to take notice of what needed to be done. And now I have a hole in my car to remind me of it.

Funny…this reminds me of something Jesus said:

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or “What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:31-34)

Through this ordeal this morning, I discovered something about myself: I worry and hurry way too much. I don’t just hurry through traffic, but I find myself hurrying through life as well. I spend a lot more time looking at the clock than looking at the details.

It’s time for me to change. Maybe you’re going through this same kind of struggle. If so, let’s make this change together! Let’s take the time to slow down, or even stop if we have to! Let’s spend some time reading God’s Word! Let’s take the time to pray! Let’s make the decision to quit worrying and hurrying so much that we miss out on what’s important! Will you do that with me?

Well, that’s about all I have to say. This was kind of a lengthy post. I sure hope reading it didn’t take up too much of your time (wink, wink!).

May God Bless You Today!

--Eric G.

The Hand of God

Someone sent this to me earlier this week. Have you seen this picture?

In case you aren’t seeing it clearly, this is a picture of a cloud that is in the shape of a hand, a RIGHT hand. From what I understand, there was no trickery or Photoshop involved. Pretty cool, huh?

This picture reminds me of a great passage of scripture that was reading just the other day:

Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands. (Psalm 138:6-8)

Sometimes I need a gentle reminder of his presence, don’t you?

May the Hand of God bless you today!

--Eric G.

Practicing the Presence of God

“At any moment and in any circumstance, the soul that seeks God may find him, and practice the presence of God.”—Brother Lawrence

The above quote is from a book that I just finished reading, entitled The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence. It is considered one of the “classics of Christian Literature”, but I had never heard of it until last year when someone gave me this little book as a gift. Now that I have read it, I have come to understand why the book has been held in such high regard.

Brother Lawrence was a seventeenth-century French monk who learned, through many years of practice, to enjoy a closeness with God that was greater than any of his personal earthly relationships. This book is a collection of documented conversations and letters that reveal his humble heart, and how he managed to see the glory and presence of God in every part of his life.

In one of his letters, he wrote, “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen…I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.” In one of the conversations documented within the book, he talks about how he sometimes resented the “times of prayer” that were required of him as a monk, simply because they distracted him from the time he was already spending with God. Imagine that…spending so much time in God’s presence that taking the time to engage in a “worship ritual” actually interrupts the relationship with God!

Is your relationship with God like that? There are times in my life when I feel like I’m really close to God, like my relationship with him couldn’t get any better. But, most of the time, I find myself having to schedule those “worship rituals” in order to feel that closeness with him that I need. I would love to have the kind of relationship with him that allows me to feel his presence all the time.

What is interesting to me is this: God DOES have that kind of a relationship with us. Think about it…he is always with us. He’s always in OUR presence. Besides that, he knows everything about us, even more than we know about ourselves. So, even when we fail to practice HIS presence, he is still practicing OURS!

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely, O Lord.

You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle by the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:1-10)

Isn’t that COOL?!?! Regardless of where we go and what we do, God still longs to be with us.

As you go through your day today, the beginning of a brand new week that God has given you, allow his presence to take over your life. It will be a change like none other you have experienced!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU TODAY!

--Eric G.

God's Light Show

This past week, while on a business-related trip, I had the opportunity to camp out.

Although it’s not my first choice in lodging when I’m on a trip, I really do enjoy camping. It’s fun to set up the tent, roll out the sleeping bag, and spend time out in nature. I might not do it all the time, but it is enjoyable to do every once in a while.

We were camping at a place that is out in the middle of nowhere. I mean, it’s waaaaaaay out there. There are no major cities around that area, and the only town anywhere close to the campground shuts down at about 8:00. We had some woods around us, but we were right on the bank of the Tombigbee River, so there was plenty of open space to see the stars in the sky.

I had the good fortune of camping out there on a very clear night. The stars were absolutely spectacular! I felt like God was putting on a show just for me!

To mark the occasion, I wrote this poem:

God’s Light Show

Sit back and enjoy the show,
the brilliance of the stars as they burn endlessly.
They cry out in praise to God, simply by existing.

They scream His glory loud and clear,
as millions of tiny worshipers
light up the heavens in honor of the one
who hung them in place

The majesty of His presence surrounds us,
taking form in simple things that often go unnoticed

But not tonight

His presence will NOT be denied.
His existence will NOT be doubted.
His glory will NOT be suppressed.

He lives, and he shares himself with us.


Take the time to look around your world and notice him in your surroundings today!

God Bless!
--Eric G.

Giving Your 101%

What equals 100%? What does it mean to give more than 100%? Have you ever wondered about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? I know that I have been in plenty of situations where someone asked me to give over 100%, and I’ve always thought, “MORE than 100%? Are you nuts?!?”

Recently, a friend shed some light on this subject with me in a very unique way and I felt it was worth sharing with you. Here’s a little mathematical formula that helps this whole “giving more than 100%” thing make more sense:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K =

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E =

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E =

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

Now, that seems good enough, but check this out:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D =

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

So, what can we conclude from this? From this little formula, we can conclude (with mathematical certainty, I might add) that while hard work and knowledge will get you close, and attitude will get you there, it is the love of God that will put you over the top!

And God wants nothing more than to see you achieve it!

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” –1 John 3:1a

Give 101% today, and May God Bless You!

--Eric G.

Beginning Again

Well, today it began again (Cue the trumpets and fanfare, please!):

The recording of a new album!

(Thank You, Thank You! Please hold your applause until you've finished reading the entire post!)

I spent most of today working on a song that was actually written and begun during the sessions for my last album, but I never got around to finishing it. I think it's a decent little praise song, though. It's called "You Are Worthy". Here are the lyrics:

All that I've ever longed to be
can only be found in you.
No where on earth could I find someone
so loving and faithful and true.

You are all that I live for.
You are all the I believe.
You are the water that quenches my thirsty soul.
You're the air that I breathe.

Oh, you are worthy Lord!
You are worthy Lord!
You are worthy Lord!
You are worthy now of praise!

More of you and less of me
is what I want to show.
The life-changing power of your love, oh Lord,
is what I want them to know.

You are holy. You are loving.
You are more than I deserve.
You are more than I could ask for.
It's you I long to serve.

Oh, you are worthy Lord!
You are worthy Lord!
You are worthy Lord!
You are worthy now of praise!


Like I said, it's just a simple little song of praise. It was written almost like a hymn, to be sung by a congregation or worship assembly, but today it was just me who was praising and worshiping all by myself.

Beginning a new CD can be a little frightening, and I must admit I was a little nervous about getting back in the studio after a while of not doing any recording. Spending a little time today just worshiping God really put my mind at ease and helped me focus on what's important in my life:

My relationship with him.

Hopefully reading the lyrics of this song will do the same for you.

Be sure to praise him today for all he's done!

God Bless!

--Eric G.

The Refiner and Purifier

I don’t know about you, but I am not extremely fond of forwarded emails.

You know the drill: “Email this to 10 of your friends and you will receive good luck!” or “This email has been going on for 5 years…DON’T BREAK THE CHAIN!” Most of the time, what you read in these emails is highly questionable or even an outright hoax, so I normally read then delete.

However, every once in a while, someone will forward me an email that is really good and makes a point that I really need to hear. I recently received one from a friend and felt the need to share it:

Malachi 3:3 says: ”He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. he explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was on the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”

He smiled at her and answered, “Oh that’s easy—when I can see my image in it.”

If today, you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching until he sees his own image in you. He is constantly refining and purifying us until we are perfect in his sight.

May God Bless You Today!

--Eric G.