Gratitude…

October 25, 2005 | 12:06 AM

I think I’ll get real emotional if I try to write some beautiful words about how grateful I am toward so many people and to my awesome and wonderful God. But I feel like I have to express that somehow. Here are some folks and groups that I am grateful for, and to. This is definitely not a comprehensive list, and really deals with recent gratitude.

I’m grateful for/to friends, the Lipsey Brethren, who have put me up in their homes (Blaize and Ben), are including me on mission road trips (Jonathan), have shared their health concerns with me (Eric), and have shown me the greatest of friendship (all of the above, Justin, Britt, Dave, Kyle [not forgetting his wonderful wife Roni Beth], and Brent.

I’m grateful for/to Liz Stewart, who has shown me what love is, and that I am loved.

I’m grateful for/to Amy Nicholson, who has shown me that life is worship, and that I can become a worship artist. She is a Daughter of Encouragment, a Batnabas?

I’m grateful for/to Clint Crawford, who I think is inside my head, and has shown me that I am not alone.

I’m grateful for/to David Platt, whose love for God and His message has shown me how to live.

I’m grateful for/to Byron Townsend, who took the time to invest his life in mine, and show me that the path is narrow but well worn. I am just one among many on this road, following others I may never see ahead of me.

I’m grateful for Hoot Busby, whose strength in character has shown me that no amount of adversity will stop a follower from the mission set before him.

I’m grateful for/to my family, which has been very willing to put up with me and show support for whatever it is that I’ve gotten my hands into. Even if that isn’t something they fully see yet.

I’m grateful for/to Charles Stanley, First Baptist Church Atlanta, and InTouch Ministries for loving us at NOBTS and giving so willingly to our rebuilding effort.

I’m grateful for/to Jim Shaddix and Riverside Baptist Church in Denver for adopting Edgewater. And to Dr. Shaddix for bringing us this far.

I’m grateful for/to Edgewater Baptist Church and its staff and members for including me in their community of faith. Everywhere I look, I see Edgewater at work.

I’m grateful for/to the one true God who is the creator of all things. I am grateful for creation. For creativity. For life. For love and grace. For peace and joy. For friends and community. For relationships. For the Word. For Your Spirit and for Your Son. I am grateful for Your plan. I am grateful. I am indebted. You have spared me. I am your man for life.

Posted in Christianity, Edgewater, NOBTS