OMG!
© Scott McCown March 7, 2011
“Oh my God,” the psalmist declares,
Composing praise to Thee.
“O my God,” the texter shares,
Abbreviated OMG.
“Oh my God,” the lyricist penned,
“I put my trust in Thee.”
“Oh my God,” the man exclaimed,
“Can you believe what happened to me?’
“Oh my God,” the apostle told
Of the Savior that set him free.
“Oh my God,” said the child not that old,
Did he hear it from you or me?
“Oh my God,” the Savior did say,
“Why have You forsaken me?”
“Oh my God,” we flippantly bray,
Not really, praying to Thee.
Friends, fellow Children of God, I share this hoping that you and I will think before we text, post, or speak and be sure that we are not using the name of God vainly.
– Scott
Driving Thought 
Scott that is great writing.
Thanks, the idea came last night as I was settling into bed. Not long before I went to bed, I was on FB and read a few posts from Christians using ‘omg’ in their posts and I was heavy hearted about it.
Hi Scott, Haven’t seen you in a long time but when I saw this post I wanted to tell you how much a agree with you. I think some people don’t even think when they put this on their posts but it is very definitely wrong to do. Hope all is well with you and your family. Where do you live now?
Good to hear from you. I am glad that you appreciated the post. Please pass along the lesson. I am in Walker County, AL since 1999
Great point Scott!
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You are so right. Facebook can be so good, but it can cause a lot of discouragement too. There are a few other words being used as well that are not taking God’s name in vain, but are spin offs really vulgar language that I see our kids and grown ups using. Might as well go ahead and use the original word…it’s just the same. Thanks for this post…maybe we can get the word out…the right words. Marlene
You are right, Amy and I discussed a few of them. Particularly in Rammer Jammer and in War Eagle.
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You are da man! You hit the nail perfectly on the head!!!
Thanks. I pray it has the impact it should.
Hi, Scott! I’ve never met you, but I wanted to let you know that my husband, Wade, and I both think this is a fantastic poem. I shared this poem on fb (I got it from Michelle Fuller) and got positive comments. This is a great teaching tool!
Thanks for sharing it on FB. Please continue to pass the word. The tongue is a powerful tool or a deadly poison. I pray that this post has an impact and helps people to begin to think.
Scott this is exactly what we need for our youth group do you mind if I use this for my youth bulletin? God Bless brother
Use away! I am glad that our words can reach across the “pond” to our friends in the UK — specifically EK in Scotland!
Good morning!
I was drawn to your site via the tag surfer, today, and your list of things we can do for our children. Mine all are grown, but the list definitely resonates with me.
Funny thing: at the bottom of the page for today is the link to this page–OMG. I thought, “Hmm. Such Godly content with such an irreverent comment at the bottom…” I did not know it was the link to this poem! Went through hoops in the archives to find yesterday’s post (this one) and then realized the mistake my mind had made. Ha.
I think I will copy the poem, too, if you don’t mind, and include the URL for this site. I know several who would like it. Might even link to it, if you don’t mind.
Sorry you had to go through the hoops to get to yesterday’s post. That one holds the record for my blogs in most views in one day. I think I hit a nerve or a pulse that resonates with many people. Please feel free to share the poem and link. My main goal is to get the message out.
You know, when I was a child, my parents taught me that “oh, my GOSH” was no better, the same disrespect for the Ten Commandments, just in very faint disguise. I hear that one a lot, too. And “dang”, which really is a curse . . . . it is a long list, isn’t it!
There are a lot of words we use as “substitutes.” We really do need to keep a check on our tongue.
Thank you so much for this poem. I hear so many people flippantly saying OMG! I would like to use it in the Main Street Church of Christ bulletin if I have your permission.
You have my permission. Which Main Street Church of Christ — I know of a few.
Main Street Church of Christ in Mt. Pleasant TN
Thank you so much brother Scott for sharing your poem “OMG” in such a powerful way! It makes me sick when I hear this omg used in such a disrespectful way especially on TV that so many young people as well as all ages are exposed to. We are becoming so desensitized to so many words in our loose speaking and respect for others feelings. I’m going to share it with as many as I can so thanks again for your great example in being so careful with our speech and use of words! They can be used in such a good way just like omg being used in a bad way! Keep up the good work and may God continue to bless all your efforts to help others to be in the right relationship with God!
Thank you for your kind words and the encouragement. Please do share — not for my glory but for the sake of God in Christ.
Just had an idea.
I think the next time I hear “oh, my God” used in an irreverent manner, I will finish the verse by saying, “I trust in Thee. Let me not be ashamed. Let not mine enemies triumph over me.” It will be like a responsive reading, right?
Those who object to my quoting Scripture will get, “You started it. I never dreamed YOU had a problem with Psalms, since you keep quoting them.”
Oughta serve several purposes, think?
I know one public school teacher (5th grade) who heard a student say “Oh, my God . . .” The teacher immediately said, “Class bow your heads, (Joey) is saying a prayer.” I thought that was a well time response. I like yours too.
YES! I love that!
I do not have charge of a classroom of small ones, though. Since I am in leadership at our church, though, I think I will try it there. Too bad it probably will surface as a topic in a church, a good church with people who are in the world and not able to keep from picking up its foreign accent. :-]
I do thank the Lord that my parents were stict about this matter, so I had fewer bad habits to break, although I was quite lost before I was saved–lots of coarse talk, but no profanity or cursing. It was a gift of mercy. All my very pagan friends knew to put a lid on it when I was around. Aren’t we good at double standards!
And my own family hardly ever strays, especially my husband. I always correct my kids if they drop such phrases in conversation before me, even the married ones. I think they agree, but have to have a “mom fix” to keep their immunizations up to date, or something. It is a battle against a serious societal disease, I guess. Oh well, it is just paganism or something. And a great, sad loss of standards and culture. Oh, of course, and an offense to the Almighty One.
Thanks, again, for this bold step of printing that poem. I would never have the nerve to post ANY poem of mine. But you have given a gift that will keep on giving.
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