“On your feet now–applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: God is God and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: ‘Thank you!’ Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.” Psalms 100 (The Message)

I’m thankful for…
1. God. God loving me, God helping me, God through the Holy Spirit teaching me, God’s son Jesus saving me, God providing for me, God’s plan for me, God’s Word the guides me, and for just being God in my life. I am nothing without you, and my life would have no purpose.

2. My family. Sometimes certain family members drive me crazy, but I am still thankful for all of them. Mom for letting me live with you for such low rent and being there for me all the time, Dad for fixing my car and being a great earthly example of God the Father’s love, Mammy for her joyful spirit and being someone I can talk to about anything, Greg for being a good big brother and sharing our love for NASCAR, Beth for sharing in a love of classical and folk music and caring in your own unique way, and my nephew Bradley for helping me get in touch with my inner child and having fun together. I’m also thankful for my many aunts and uncles, and I’m glad that we have been trying to get together a few times a year lately so that it isn’t just at funerals that we see each other.

3. My babies, Samantha and Lilly. I don’t know what I’d do without your unconditional love and affection. What is life like without a purring cat next to or on top of me when I go to sleep?

4. My friends from many different times in my life, and they are much better friends to me than I am to them. The oldest friends of all are from Eastwood Church of the Brethren, where I grew up going to church so most of them have known me since I was in diapers, I’m especially grateful for the Abes, the Griffiths, the Beatys, Linda’s Sunday School class, and Pastor Paul from more recent years there. Kara, Alicia, Cindy, Sarah, Mandee, Dave, Nona, and Martina from school days, you are the long-term friends that however long it has been since we’ve talked it is like we pick up where we left off. From the college days – Jodi, Melanie, Harvey, Amanda, Dwayne, Heidi, the BC Music Department (faculty and students) from ’93-’97, Pinion Players from ’93-’97, the MacPhails, Vince, and so many other dear people. I’ve lost track of friends from Seminary, but they did mean a lot to me during that trying time – Alexa, Bonnie, Wendy M., Heidi, Tom, Moses, and my small group from Grace Covenant Church. Friends from Faith Church in Twinsburg – Molly, the Todds, the Denges, the Mathews, the Albertas, the Morrisons, Theresa, the Loughleys, the Springers, and the MYF, I miss you all. Jonathan, Pam, and Karen at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries, you have blessed me so much. Cheryl, Mike, Cindy, Mindy, Sally, Linda, Sheri, Mary Beth, and the rest of my co-workers that put up with me on a daily basis (especially in tax season when we see each other more than our families!). My Bible Study group, though we are having a tough time getting together lately – Wendy G., MJ, Pam, Rebecca, and Deb, you’ve helped me grow a lot these last couple of years. Many friends from Emmaus and Chrysalis that I can’t even begin to name. My newest friends at Faith Church in Brimfield – Curt, Michelle, Chris, Seb, David, and the Task Force, you all have become a great church family. I know there are so many more people that I am somehow leaving out, and one of the things that I seemed to be blessed with (though it sometimes feels like a curse) is that once I know someone well I never forget them. It may seem like I have forgotten you because I can’t seem to get over my feeling bad about not having kept up with you, but I honestly think of you often, pray for you, and wonder what has happened with you and your life.

5. The internet and the blogosphere. While probably a bit false, it is so nice to feel connected with so many people in the world that I admire and have common interests. I have learned so much about how to live out my faith and be a better worship leader through all the great resources on the internet (see my blogroll and Links page). I wish you existed like you do now when I was in seminary, it probably would have helped me with some really dark times to not feel so disconnected and lonely – but I’m sure that God meant that time to be that way so that I would draw closer to Him to get to be where I am now.

6. My iPod, Kurzweil keyboard, Q cellphone, digital camera, telescope, PC desktop, Ford Escape, and Mac laptop. These are just things, but they are things that 5 or 6 years ago I never would have imagined to be able to have. I’m truly blessed such that I have been pretty stumped as to what to tell my family to get me for Christmas. How about finding me a boyfriend? Too bad you can’t buy one of those at Amazon.com. LOL

7. Last, but certainly not least, my Compassion International child Bridget. I’ve so enjoyed her letters, though I need to get better about writing her back. Mostly it is just a blessing to know that I am making a difference in her life, and I haven’t missed the money each month one bit. I hope I get to meet her someday. Thank you, God, for the lessons in giving that I’ve learned this year.

There are many places on the internet that tell about the devastating accident that killed his youngest daughter, Maria, last night. I can’t even imagine what that family is going through right now, and I am lifting them up in prayer that they be comforted and held in the Father’s loving arms, and not forget the hope that they have that they will see her again.  If you would like to leave a short prayer for them you can at the page set up by the Chapman’s in Maria’s Memory here, and at Ragamuffin Soul’s blog here.

I hope to get back on track this weekend, with some of my perspectives on watching the Indy 500, NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, and the Phoenix landing on Mars on Sunday.

I love the Casting Crowns song – What If His People Prayed.  Listen to it and really hear the words, they are powerful and true.

Bridget Natocho, age 3, Uganda, Africa 

Personal and Family Information:
Bridget lives with her father and her mother. Her father is sometimes employed as a laborer and her mother is sometimes employed as a laborer. Bridget works at home helping in the kitchen and running errands.

Bridget is not presently attending school. Singing, walking and listening to music are her favorite activities. She also attends church activities regularly.

Please remember Bridget in your prayers. Your love and support will help her to receive the assistance she needs to grow and develop.

I’ve been following the bloggers who are in Uganda (BooMama, Ragamuffin Soul, Shlog, Flower Dust, Whittaker Woman), and it just kept bringing to my heart all the times that I felt God wanted me to do this.  I kept thinking before that others who make more money than I do can handle it, because I live paycheck to paycheck and there isn’t a lot left over.  I’ve been feeling bummed about being single, not even dating, and wondering if I ever will get married and have children.  Feeling sorry for myself and having a royal pity-party.

It really is just 2 CD’s a month that I’d have to discipline myself to not buy.  2 CD’s…a life made whole and healthy and happy.  It is no comparison.  She likes to sing and listen to music just like me.  She is so cute in her pretty pink dress, but she needs hope.  I may not have my own kids, but I can support one who is already alive and pour out the love given to me by my Father.   

How about you?  Give a gift of love and life here.

Lord, help me to be faithful to this.  Happy Valentine’s Day.

I think it interesting that I’m going to be working for another church named “Faith”, and I’m quite sure that God has a particular reason for that “coincidence”.