Thanksgiving

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.

His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1

As I reflect on the past year I am overwhelmed by God’s grace, faithfulness, and goodness in my life. The words from the hymn Count Your Blessing come to mind. As I begin to name the blessings -- one by one -- there is so much God has done this year. Here is what I am thankful for 2011:

The Gospel. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the good news that He came, fully God and fully man, to live a sinless life to be the perfect sacrifice through His death on the cross for mans’ sins and mine. I need the gospel daily. I need it to remind me of my utter need for Christ, salvation, grace, mercy, and forgiveness of my sins that comes through Him. Living and proclaiming the gospel gives me great joy in living. “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

Pain Free Hips & Ankles. Three years ago have quickly passed since the fourth and final surgery, in December 2008, to complete bi-lateral ankle replacements. God has been so gracious to allow me to generally be pain free with bi-lateral hip and ankle replacements. Swimming, biking/spinning, golfing, and walking are activities I thoroughly enjoy as part of life.

Again this year God has given me many opportunities to share and show the hope I the gospel and encourage those in

Heaven. I am thankful for Heaven: I am ready to go! What will it be like to worship Jesus without sin? I Can Only Imagine. No more anger, no more lust, no more anxiety, no more broken relationships.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).

The Body of Christ—His Church. God is building His church and even the gates of hell will not prevail over it (Matthew 16:18). I am thankful to be a part of His church, His bride, in serving Him and seeing His kingdom grow for His glory (Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 19:7). I am thankful for fellow brothers and sisters who have been used in my life to encourage, challenge, and convict in my walk with Jesus. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverb 27:17).

Giving thanks to the Lord, for He is good – All the Time!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).