Thankful

Here are some ways I am thankful and how I hope to act on my thankfulness:
· I am thankful the Lord forgave me for rebelling against Him. I hope to remember His forgiveness of me when others wrong me.
· I am thankful the Lord did not give up on me when I messed something up big time. I hope to remember that when others fail.
· I am thankful the Lord drew near to me when I sinned. I hope to remember that when I am tempted to shun others who sin.
· I am thankful the Lord did not give me some things I really prayed hard for. I hope to remember that when the Lord tells me No again.
· I am thankful the Lord allowed me to dig myself a big hole and did not stop me. I hope to resist the temptation to intervene to stop others from their follies.
· I am thankful the Lord showed me clearly that there are consequences for sin. I hope never to think sin is harmless.
· I am thankful the Lord gave me a wonderful wife, three good boys and a precious daughter. I hope never to doubt God’s abundant blessings.
· I am thankful that ministry is always messy. I hope never to think it’s so easy I can minister to others without the Lord’s help.
· I am thankful that the closer I get to faithful people, the more I see they are not perfect. I hope to remember that no one expects me to be perfect.
· I am thankful for my Greek friend Makis, a street peddler with few teeth, who loves Jesus. I hope to never to look down on any man.
· I am thankful to have seen the Lord’s hand in terrible things like cancer and death. I hope never to think any problem is too big for the Lord.
· I am thankful that when I was 13 years old Woody Woodward came to my house on Sunday mornings, got me out of bed and drank coffee with my Dad until I was ready to go to Sunday School. I hope also to be patient with young people.
· I am thankful that Coach Bill Norris, a grouchy old former soldier, insisted I go to FCA camp. I hope to point young people to Christ.
· I am thankful for the examples of the Apostle Paul, Adoniram Judson, Charles Colson, John Bunyan and others, who were transformed from rebels to saints. I hope never to think any man is beyond the reach of the Lord.
· I am thankful for my Aunt Stella, who prayed for me when I had no interest in the Lord. I hope to remember to pray for others who have no interest in Him.
· I am thankful that one of the modern Christian heroes, CS Lewis, smoked a pipe and lifted a pint regularly. I hope to remember that not all believers are like me or agree with me on everything.
· I am thankful that I am not wealthy. I hope always to know I need the Lord and that He meets my every need.
· I am thankful for worldwide economic uncertainties. I hope I will be like the wise man who built his house on the rock.
· I am thankful for birds. Just because.
· I am thankful for sports. I hope always to remember that it’s just a game, though.
· I am thankful for John Watts, Barry St Clair, John Frazier and others, who taught this once young man how to walk with the Lord. I hope also to point young men toward the narrow path.
· I am thankful that all those listed in Hebrews 11 had struggles. I hope to remember that struggles do not mean that the Lord has abandoned me.
· I am thankful when the passion of young people for Jesus makes me uncomfortable. I hope I never throw cold water on their fire.
· I am thankful for churches full of people who don’t know how to act in church. I hope not to teach them to act like we do.
· I am thankful for Jesus, without whom I’d have no hope.

What are you thankful for? I’d love to hear about it.