Top 10 Things I Am Thankful For

Psalm 100:1-5

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

Top 10 Things I Am Thankful For

1. My relationship with God

I am so grateful for the honor I have of knowing God the Father…The Creator of the Universe. I am grateful that His plan has never changed.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

2. My relationship with Michelle

This December 19, 2017, we celebrated 228 months together.  I am blessed beyond measure to have her as my wife, as the mother of my children and co-worker with me as we serve the Lord.

3. My relationship with my children

The love I have for Makenna and Jackson is indescribable and, yet, a picture of how much I know God loves me. The greatest honor on this side of eternity for me is not only to have my children serving the Lord but knowing that each of them has given their life to Christ and have allowed Him to be the Lord and Master of their lives. I am grateful for this!

4. My Brothers

I would not be who I am today without the Godly influence of my brothers. They are my heroes! I still purposely walk in their shadows because it makes me feel safe. I still want to grow and be like them.

5. My Parents

I appreciate my parents fighting the good fight. I appreciate the fact that they raised me and my brothers in church, exposed me to the Gospel and made the kingdom a priority in our home. They gave me a foundation that I can never thank them enough for. They gave me a chance to not only give my life to Christ but to follow God by answering His call on my life as a minister for Him. The greatest thing parents can do for their children is to love each other and be faithful to the house of God. My parents did that and I am eternally grateful!

6. Godly Mentors along the way

I could not mention just one person here, so I will mention a few. No one gets where they are by themselves and the following is a short list of people who have impacted my life through my being aligned with them in different seasons of my life, for divine reasons. Ed Hedrick, my minister, was there when I was born, baptized me and my wife and performed our marriage ceremony.

Tony Rosberry, K.B. Massingill, and Chris Austin are all youth Ministers who encouraged me and taught me how to deal with problems and struggles that many teens have.

Randy Becton, the founder of the Care Ministry, gave me my first-hand advice and really serious insight as to what it takes to be a minister. I grew up listening to him teach and preach the truth about grace, love and perseverance.

 Larry Roberts taught me the day to day work of a minister. He had me go with him on visitations, meetings and assist him in worship services and funerals. He was not afraid to show me the ropes. I recall many times when he would come to my office, shut the door and say, “Hey I want to tell you some things that you can use when you get a pulpit ministry job.”

Al Jolly. This man has been in ministry for a very long time and I always value our times together when he shares experiences of his work. 

There are so many more who are in my Hall of Fame and will forever be on my Wall of Honor!

7. For Franklin Texas. Need I say more? It’s been called by others the ‘Mayberry of Robertson County.’ I can’t think of better place to work and raise my children.

8. The Booger County Prayer Pose

On my phone, I have a list; a band of brothers; Men who at anytime or anyplace I can send out a prayer request to and know without a doubt that they will pray for me right then and there and encourage me afterward. And I, in turn, do the same for them.

9. The Franklin Church of Christ. A congregation of folks who love GOD, and this community.

10. Divine Favor

I am grateful for the Favor of God that is in my life! I am reminded every day that Favor is a divine advantage for success. Everything I do is not about me, but about Him and yet He lets me enjoy it! I am thankful for the Favor that I do not deserve. One thing is for sure: God does not favor people, but He favors people who favor His principles. At the end of every day, there is always one thing I know: I have FAVOR. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

What is your top 10?

Grace and Peace

Blan