Thankful

"I thank him who has given me strength for this, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service,
though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and insulted him; but I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners;
but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (RSV)

As I work today in my office, praying for my family, the sick, the poor, and for the ministry of Jefferson UMC and Western PA Conference, and looking over our preparations and plans for Advent and Christmas (almost complete), I am filled with immense gratitude to God. I am so blessed in so many ways, deserving none of it, and keenly aware that I owe the Lord everything.

I give thanks to the Lord Almighty today for my exquisitely beautiful wife Robyn, who is a blessing beyond my dreams, about whom there are not words to express her beauty and grace...

I give thanks to the Lord Almighty today for my children, loud, obnoxious, and beautiful, through whom the Lord has given me joy greater than I ever realized was possible...

I give thanks to the Lord Almighty today for the ministry to which the Lord has called me, the awesome responsibility of serving as an ordained Elder of the Church and as pastor to a wonderful congregation filled with giftedness, grace, and possibility...

I give thanks to the Lord Almighty today for living where I do, in an imperfect but free nation, in what may be the loveliest region on the planet (western Pennsylvania), near a great city, and in a suburban area (Jefferson Hills/Pleasant Hills) that simply must be one of the best places on earth to live...

I give thanks to the Lord Almighty today for the blessing that my children attend school in a truly excellent school district (ranked #9 in PA for academics), with lots of opportunities, and a fine football team (ranked #1 in PA)...

I give thanks to the Lord Almighty today for leisurely joys like the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan, the sheer joy of watching "The Monkees" and "M*A*S*H", the excitement of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL, and great books to read on a cool autumn evening...

As the leaves begin to change into beautiful colors, silently praising God by their very appearance, I am truly thankful to the Lord Almighty. I, the foremost of sinners, am truly blessed. Thank you, Father.