The MET Church Houston, Texas

This year I have been challenged by one of our Big Give verses- 2 Corinthians 9:13

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

So, I am sharing not just what I am thankful for, but the obedience that accompanies this confession...

 11 Things I am Thankful For This Thanksgiving:

1.    God the Father, who loves me unconditionally.
2.    Jesus Christ, His Son, who gave His life to restore my relationship with the Father.
3.    The Holy Spirit, who guides me and gives me direction each day, and is God’s presence in my life.
4.    My beautiful wife Kelly, who is far funnier than me, much more patient with me than she should be, and brings me the joy of doing life with my best friend.
5.    My spunky daughter Macy, who leaves me in stitches, keeps me humble, and has huge things ahead for her in life.
6.    Parents who raised me to fear God, love His people, and capture every moment as a chance to share God’s love.
7.    The opportunity to serve God by leading His people, and the amazing and humbling opportunity to lead a group of Pioneers to Fry Road.
8.    A church family to be a part of that, in just 6 months, feels like we have been a part of for years – who are committed to connecting people to the real Jesus.
9.    A pastor who is the same guy on stage, that he is in the office and at home, whose heart breaks over people dying without Christ locally and globally.
10.    A church staff that works hard on behalf of people.
11.    The blessings of living in a country in which the poorest among us is still richer than most of the rest of the world, may we always be global agents of change

11 Ways to give thanks in obedience:

1.    Love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and find myself in His word more.
2.    Serve Christ with everything I have and extend the grace that he provided to me to those in my life who need it – whether they deserve it or not.
3.    Seek and receive the wisdom and counsel of God, be broken and not settle for prayers that don’t cost me anything.
4.    Find new and creative ways to demonstrate my love for Kelly, be a better spiritual leader for her + MJ, then the church.
5.    Continue to be scared to death at the consequences of trying to raise a little girl without God’s maximum influence in my life, and hers.
6.    Bless my parents whenever possible and share the harvest stories of the seeds of faith they have sown.
7.    Live and teach the people of God the amazing joy of living a life spent in service to Him, and anticipate the amazing stories of life change to come at Fry Road.
8.    Continue to love this church and live with unexpected authenticity.
9.    Pray for Sal every chance I get as I see firsthand the weight that comes with following God and leading people.
10.    Love and serve this staff everyday, as we connect, together.
11.    Give more so that our church can love more- around the world and across the street…Give Big on behalf of people.

Meet You on Fry Road.