For many years, I kept a condensed list called “Top Ten Things I’m Thankful For” in my wallet.
Whenever I saw the list … much less read it … I was reminded how much God has blessed me, even when I was having a bad day.
Let me briefly share an updated list of five things I’m thankful for in reverse order:
Number 5: I am thankful for faithful, lifelong friends.
I’ve made many friends over the years, especially in the 9 churches I’ve served. In most cases, I’ve lost contact with those people, but I’m thankful for 3 friends who have been there for me no matter what for nearly 50 years … and we all came to attend the same church.
Steve (on the left) and I met on the first day of fifth grade. He taught me more about sports than anyone I’ve ever known … and beat me in most of them, too. It’s fitting that he became a high school athletic director and teacher. He’s the best athlete … and game player … I’ve ever known.
Dave (second from the left) was my constant companion at Biola and Talbot. We rode to school together … took classes together … and graduated together (twice). Dave is a well-known pastor and speaker in the Calvary Chapel movement and has a nationwide radio program. I often watch his sermons on Roku.
Ken (on the right) has been my friend since seventh grade. He taught me how to play ping pong … invited me to his church (where I eventually met my wife) … and convinced me to go with him to camp at Hume Lake (where I ended up dedicating my life to Christ). He’s a great dentist, too … I have an appointment with him next week!
What did Clarence the Angel write to George Bailey at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life? “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.”
That’s how I feel.
Number 4: I am thankful for a Christian upbringing.
From birth, I went to church involuntarily.
But when I was old enough to make up my own mind, I went voluntarily … and never stopped or rebelled.
Maybe that’s a credit to the churches I attended … the friends I made at those churches … or those who taught me God’s Word.
But my parents receive most of the credit.
I grew up in a home where I knew that my father and mother loved me, so it wasn’t difficult to imagine that God loved me, too.
And the older I get, the more grateful I am for parents who were godly role models … read me Bible stories … and took me to church.
Number 3: I am thankful for two wonderful children: Ryan and Sarah; a special daughter-in-law: Vanessa; and two growing grandchildren: Jack and Liam.
Kim and I raised our children to love God and each other … and they’re still doing that today, for which I thank God. I am so proud of my kids.
Jack turns two in a few weeks, and Liam turns six months this Monday. I prayed for grandchildren for a long time, and I’m thankful that God answered that prayer.
Number 2: I am thankful for Kim, my wife of 39 years.
Who you marry largely determines how your life will go. I married well.
I am grateful to Kim because:
*she tells me what she really thinks and feels.
*she is an incredibly hard worker.
*she always served alongside me in our various ministries without wavering.
*she was – and is – an awesome mother.
*she knows me and still loves me … a great feat indeed!
Number 1: I am thankful for my salvation in Jesus Christ.
There are two ways to look at life:
*Assume that life is meant to be a utopia and that you should be anxious and angry about anything short of paradise
*Assume that life is a struggle and that you should thank God for every good thing that happens
The greatest thing in my life happened when I was a child and received Jesus Christ.
As Philippians 4:19 says so eloquently, I gained “riches in glory in Christ Jesus” when I became a believer.
And I’ve been drawing on those riches ever since.
Great friends … a godly upbringing … loving children and grandchildren … a wife for life … and salvation in Christ.
Regardless of my income, I am indeed a wealthy man.
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Restoring Kingdom Builders 
Thankful For So Much
Posted in Personal Stories, Please Comment!, tagged thankful for children, thankful for friends, thankful for grandchildren, thankful for salvation, thankful for wife, thanksgiving on November 26, 2014| Leave a Comment »
For many years, I kept a condensed list called “Top Ten Things I’m Thankful For” in my wallet.
Whenever I saw the list … much less read it … I was reminded how much God has blessed me, even when I was having a bad day.
Let me briefly share an updated list of five things I’m thankful for in reverse order:
Number 5: I am thankful for faithful, lifelong friends.
I’ve made many friends over the years, especially in the 9 churches I’ve served. In most cases, I’ve lost contact with those people, but I’m thankful for 3 friends who have been there for me no matter what for nearly 50 years … and we all came to attend the same church.
Steve (on the left) and I met on the first day of fifth grade. He taught me more about sports than anyone I’ve ever known … and beat me in most of them, too. It’s fitting that he became a high school athletic director and teacher. He’s the best athlete … and game player … I’ve ever known.
Dave (second from the left) was my constant companion at Biola and Talbot. We rode to school together … took classes together … and graduated together (twice). Dave is a well-known pastor and speaker in the Calvary Chapel movement and has a nationwide radio program. I often watch his sermons on Roku.
Ken (on the right) has been my friend since seventh grade. He taught me how to play ping pong … invited me to his church (where I eventually met my wife) … and convinced me to go with him to camp at Hume Lake (where I ended up dedicating my life to Christ). He’s a great dentist, too … I have an appointment with him next week!
What did Clarence the Angel write to George Bailey at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life? “Remember no man is a failure who has friends.”
That’s how I feel.
Number 4: I am thankful for a Christian upbringing.
From birth, I went to church involuntarily.
But when I was old enough to make up my own mind, I went voluntarily … and never stopped or rebelled.
Maybe that’s a credit to the churches I attended … the friends I made at those churches … or those who taught me God’s Word.
But my parents receive most of the credit.
I grew up in a home where I knew that my father and mother loved me, so it wasn’t difficult to imagine that God loved me, too.
And the older I get, the more grateful I am for parents who were godly role models … read me Bible stories … and took me to church.
Number 3: I am thankful for two wonderful children: Ryan and Sarah; a special daughter-in-law: Vanessa; and two growing grandchildren: Jack and Liam.
Kim and I raised our children to love God and each other … and they’re still doing that today, for which I thank God. I am so proud of my kids.
Jack turns two in a few weeks, and Liam turns six months this Monday. I prayed for grandchildren for a long time, and I’m thankful that God answered that prayer.
Number 2: I am thankful for Kim, my wife of 39 years.
Who you marry largely determines how your life will go. I married well.
I am grateful to Kim because:
*she tells me what she really thinks and feels.
*she is an incredibly hard worker.
*she always served alongside me in our various ministries without wavering.
*she was – and is – an awesome mother.
*she knows me and still loves me … a great feat indeed!
Number 1: I am thankful for my salvation in Jesus Christ.
There are two ways to look at life:
*Assume that life is meant to be a utopia and that you should be anxious and angry about anything short of paradise
*Assume that life is a struggle and that you should thank God for every good thing that happens
The greatest thing in my life happened when I was a child and received Jesus Christ.
As Philippians 4:19 says so eloquently, I gained “riches in glory in Christ Jesus” when I became a believer.
And I’ve been drawing on those riches ever since.
Great friends … a godly upbringing … loving children and grandchildren … a wife for life … and salvation in Christ.
Regardless of my income, I am indeed a wealthy man.
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