Thankful

Soooo much to be thankful for. Obvious ones are salvation, the Gospel, the Bible, family, friends, health, my calling, my job, etc. Sooo much to be thankful for!

Today I'm going to talk about my family---specifically my wife and my two sons.

Let's start with my two sons Morgan and Nathan. Boys, if you are reading this--I LOVE YOU and am extremely proud of you! You are both amazing young men that have met Jesus and let Him guide and shape who you are. The fact that I get to be a part in the process of guiding and teaching you is both humbling and empowering. You are both HUGE blessings in my life.

Every Sunday, Morgan and Nathan start their day before 6 AM. That's what time they need to be up and rolling to help Element Church happen on Sunday morning. What is the average (I hesitate to use the word average, couldn't think of a better word and chances are if your reading this your kids aren't "average" either) kid doing in America at 6 AM on Sunday morning. Most of them are NOT getting out of bed to go help Mom and Dad and the rest of the team set up for church. I tell them all the time how proud I am of them, how much I love them, and how vital they are to what we do on Sunday. Morgan plays bass guitar on the praise band and Nathan is the light tech, but they both do so much more than that on Sunday's. I hope they know how vital they are to the team and know that they ARE making a difference in God's Kingdom.

Now let's talk about my wife, Terri Lynn. WOW. Where to begin? Terri Lynn, I LOVE and CHERISH YOU!

You are an amazing wife, mother, friend, help-meet, but MOST importantly you have a HUGE heart for the LORD. How you have supported and encouraged me since ( and before) we got the call on our lives to move to Cheyenne and help plant Element Church is priceless. Thank you! I am the man I am today because of YOU. Thank You! You were the first one in our family to meet the LORD. I was the last. Those years between those two events were not easy I'm sure. Thank you for staying the course, fighting the good fight, and having everyone praying for me. I hope that in some small way the man and husband God is shaping me into is your reward for all those years.

In my opinion, one of the "watershed" moments in every man's life is this---the moment that he finally comes to the realization what a HUGE blessing and gift from God his wife is. It was for me anyway. The day I realized what a precious and priceless gift Terri Lynn is, well let's just say I've never been the same. I believe that women are the "crown-jewel" of God's creation. Sadly , so many times they are not treated that way.

I almost missed it. The fact that my wife is a gift not a possession. Someone to be cherished not bossed around. When I see other men "out there" who have yet to figure this out, well honestly, I want to kick them and hug them. OK, I want to kick them first to get there attention and then hug and encourage them to get it right. Then I have to remember that I too was once like them, so then I try to remember to love them where they're at and pray for them.

I want to end by thanking God for all that He has done in my life and all He is continuing to do with and through me. I am truly AMAZED! Thank You LORD!