Emergence

I would be remiss if I didn't take a minute to publicly thank God for all of the many things that He is up to in and around us. While I am thankful daily for many things and people, this is a good time for a bit of a clearinghouse of things to appreciate publicly.

God the Father - At the top of the list is the initiator of salvation--the One who loves me, and you, and all of the world enough to give (in the fullest sense possible) His only Son away to bring us back to Him.

Jesus Christ - Sure, it is cliche, and I'm starting to sound like a sports figure who just won a big game, but honestly, were it not for Jesus, the rest of this list either doesn't exist or is ultimately eternally meaningless. By that, I mean that were it not for the truth of God's love revealed in Jesus, all of the stuff that I'm thankful for would exist to please either me or someone else other than God.

Without Jesus, I have no idea where I'd be. Honestly, I don't want to know.

The Holy Spirit - The boldness I need, the conviction I know, and the guidance I depend on... I'm so thankful for God who is with us.

My Wife, Melissa - Thankful doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about my best friend, teammate, and chief supporter. It's insane to think back at how God placed us together--but it reminds me of how much He loves me.I am thankful that in spite of seeing every moment I am NOT in front of people, she loves me--and she shows me that she loves me every day.

My Kids, Landon and Chase - How can you describe the feeling you have as a father? It's the highest degree of love and healthy pride in someone... but the thankfulness I feel toward God is nothing short of indescribable. It is a privilege and an honor I'm unable to even express.

My Extended Family - I have been so blessed to have such an amazing family. I have seen God's love through all of them in so many different ways. God expanded my little family through the years, and I'm so thankful to say that it not only includes my Mom and family I have known my whole life, but an amazing set of in-laws and by the grace of God, my Dad and family on his side as well!

Calling - If I were doing anything other than what I am doing, I would be frustrated to the point of despair. I have never gone a day in the past 10 years I have not been thankful for the calling God has placed on my life. There are horrible, horrible days in ministry... but even on the worst day, the idea of leaving ministry seems as foreign to me as a menu in a fancy restaurant.

Jacksonville Chapel - I'm so thankful we're part of a larger church that cares enough about the mission of Jesus that there is flexibility and freedom to do things a little differently, even if people call us crazy. Not every church would allow God to do the things He has done at the Chapel. Much of the thanks is for the Elders and leaders that have been open to the movement of God.

The Chapel Staff - The staff at the Chapel is nothing short of a family. They have seen me at my best and worst throughout the years, and I am thankful for their patience and support.

Emergence - Without Emergence, I would most certainly be in another place, at another church. I would not have been stretched the way I have been stretched. I would not have seen the things I have seen, met the people I have met, or heard the stories I have heard. It would have been my loss. At the precise moment He knew He would need to, God opened a door at a crazy little idea of a church, and life has never been the same since.

Ryan - Never in my life have I seen God take two guys who are so different and turn them into a team that is so unified. Ryan is an amazing leader, and I am honored to serve with Him at Emergence. I look forward to many more years watching God take insufficient people and show He is sufficient.

Mike - While I am certainly thankful for all of our leadership and our Elder Board, I can't say enough how much I appreciate the work that the Emergence Elder, Mike Kuder, has put in over the past year. His selfless service has helped to ensure that we are on track on many levels, and he is to be commended.

The Volunteers at Emergence - I could spend hours naming them all... without those who serve faithfully, Emergence would not exist. Thank you to all of you on our Setup team, Tech team, Worship team, Cafe team, Greeting team, Counting team, Small Group Leaders team and the many others who pitch in week in and week out.

Faithful Givers - Whether it is the Reaching Further Campaign or the General Fund, the monies given to the Chapel go toward great things. More than just keeping the lights on, the offerings pay for ministries that are seeing people's lives change, releasing people from addictions, saving marriages from destruction, breaking the hold of sin in people's lives, and at a foundational level bringing the good news of Jesus to a world that desperately needs some good news.

My Intensive Discipleship Guys - Drive past the Chapel office at 6:30am on most Tuesday mornings and you'll see the lights are on. Inside that lit office are 10 guys who are devoting a year to reading through the entire Bible, being challenged on theological assumptions, learning about missionality, studying God's plan for the Church, and giving God room to change their direction and motivations in life. I am so thankful for these guys. I'm thankful for their dedication, their discipline, and their hearts for what God might do through them.

Incarnational People - It is easy to think that the only people who need to see the lives of those reflecting Jesus are those outside the church. That is completely false. I need to see the lives of those kinds of people, too. Whether it is someone praying for my family, a kind gesture from a generous person, or just an encouragement or "thank you? from someone--sometimes it is the only thing that keeps me going.

To all of you this Thanksgiving--and every day... thank you.
But, most of all, I want to thank the One who brought you into my life.

I will close by obeying the command of Psalm 107:1--even if I don't always do it as much as I should:

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good..."

Thank you, my God, my Savior.

Happy Thanksgiving.