Everything That's On My Mind

This past Sunday I gave the congregation some homework. To prepare for Thanksgiving, make a list of 40 things to be thankful for. Here's my 40, in no particular order.

1. God's grace - How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me? Your grace and mercy overwhelm me. Thanks God.
2. My wife Lori - She is the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman and the perfect helpmate for me. I would be lost without her. Thanks God.
3. My daughter Bekah - I couldn't be a prouder father. It's been an amazing 12 years watching her grow into what God designed her to be. I look forward to (and dread ) the next 12 years. Thanks God.
4. Red Oaks Assembly of God - I am blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of Christ-followers. Thanks God.
5. My job - Pastoring a small church means being bivocational. I'm so grateful to God for a steady job that gives me the flexibility to minister and a Godly employer that understands my priorities. Thanks God.
6. Our home - At just the right time, God gave our family just the right home. Thanks God.
7. Christian parents - I've heard countless childhood horror stories. I'm forever grateful for parents who raised me to know and follow Christ. Thanks God.
8. Godly grandparents - My grandparents, particularly Matthew and Carolyn, were a big influence on me and they're a big reason I am where I am today. I miss them. Thanks God.
9. Sisters serving God - I have two great sisters who love God. I'm so glad they are who they are. Thanks God.
10. Freedom to worship - Something we can take for granted so easily is the freedom to worship God without fear of governmental persecution. Christians may sometimes complain about governmental antagonism to Christianity and rail at the ACLU, but we really don't realize how good we have it. Thanks God.
11. A just government - Sure, it's not perfect. But I wouldn't trade our justice system for any other system I know of. Thanks God.
12. The right to vote - I'm glad I have a voice, however small, in how I am governed. Thanks God.
13. Peace in our land - Despite what the politicians say, we're not at war. Yes, we may feel threatened by terrorism; yes, our soldiers are fighting and dying overseas; but we're not under the direct threat of armed conflict like so many in our world are. Thanks God.
14. Safety - I live in a country where bombs aren't falling, in an area where crime is not a big problem. So many can't say this. Thanks God.
15. The promise of heaven - "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." Thanks God.
16. The gift of the Holy Spirit - Every Sunday I see how God empowers me through the Spirit and makes my weakness display His strength. Thanks God.
17. The word of God - Daily it speaks, just as He promised. Thanks God.
18. Access to God through prayer - Daily He speaks, just as He promised. Thanks God.
19. Music - From Stevie Wonder to Stevie Ray Vaughan. From Bryan Duncan to Brian Setzer. From Charlie Peacock to Charlie Parker. From Robert Johnson to Robert Randolph. From Steve Taylor to Terry Scott Taylor. From John Coltrane to John Lee Hooker. From Earth, Wind, and Fire to Crosby, Stills, and Nash. From U2 to Third Day. From Radiohead to Switchfoot. Music is a wonderful blessing. Thanks God.
20. Seasons - One of the reasons I love living in Michigan: We actually have four distinct seasons, and I love them all. Yes, even winter. Thanks God.
21. The Psalms - To have access to the inner thoughts and struggles of a man after God's own heart is a great encouragement. Thanks God.
22. Sports - I appreciate the relaxation and inspiration provided by people who have dedicated themselves to excellence in their sport. Even the Detroit Lions. Thanks God.
23. Friends - I have a great bunch of friends who have challenged, encouraged, and blessed me in countless ways. Thanks God.
24. Computers - They're an amazing tool that have enabled me to save time and money, and they've also provided a steady income for me for many years. Thanks God.
25. The Colorado Rockies - No, not the baseball team, the mountain range. What a marvelous creation God has made. The beauty and majesty of these mountains make me marvel at the beauty and majesty of their Creator. Thanks God.
26. The Apostle Paul - The world's first Christian theologian. Thanks God.
27. Stephen Lawhead - I don't read a lot of fiction, but Lawhead's books have been a part of my life for over 20 years. Sometimes, a fictional story can teach in ways that non-fiction cannot. His books have always been a blessing to me. Thanks God.
28. The Reformation - At just the right time, God raised up men like Tyndale, Luther, and Calvin who restored the Christian faith to its roots in scripture and grace. I'm proud to say my ancestors were Huguenots. Thanks God.
29. A varied life - I've been blessed with so many different experiences in life, from mountain climbing in Colorado to street ministry in the inner city of Detroit. From rock and roll musician to orchestra conductor. From being a radio DJ to being a banker. Every step of the way God has prepared me for where I am today. Thanks God.
30. My truck - I never thought of myself as a pickup truck kind of guy, but it's been great having one. It's been reliable and practical. Thanks God.
31. Golf - I'm thankful for finally finding a sport that I can participate in fairly regularly. It's also a teaching tool from God. Patience, humility, perseverance, self-control, etc. Fellow golfers know what I mean. Thanks God.
32. Bloggers - It's amazing to be able to interact with believers around the world with such wonderful and varied experiences and viewpoints. Thanks God.
33. William Shakespeare - Who else has so effectively illustrated the fallen nature of mankind through the dramatic arts? What a gift. Thanks God.
34. Missionaries - The sacrifices made by those who have been called to reach across cultural boundaries with the Gospel continually challenge, inspire, and humble me. Thanks God.
35. Scholars - I'm grateful for people like F.F. Bruce, Dallas Willard. Scot McKnight, D.A. Carson, Ben Witherington, Norman Geisler, and countless others who have dedicated their lives to teaching and writing about the truths of God's word. Thanks God.
36. John Wycliffe - For having the courage and determination to ensure that common people had access to the scriptures. Thanks God.
37. Chocolate - OK, this may sound frivolous, but I'm serious. Every good and perfect gift is from above, and personally I think chocolate qualifies as a good and perfect gift. Especially Gayle's Chocolates. Thanks God.
38. The Assemblies of God - I'm grateful for my "tribe" of dedicated Christ-followers who are striving to change the world through the Gospel. Thanks God.
39. Thomas Aquinas - I've been a student of Christian apologetics all my life. Aquinas is arguably the father of this field of study. Thanks God.
40. The sacrifice of Jesus - "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Thanks God.