B E H I N D / T H E / B A R

I woke up with my mind racing this morning.  Not so much of the things I have to do, but more so about the ways that God has blessed my life this week. I’m truly thankful.

Last night was such a great night at our First Friday worship night.  My buddy Robert Goff along with Chad Harris and Wylea Miller led us to such a sweet place of intimate worship. In the middle of the night, I had a little “heart episode” where my heart revved up super fast.  I hate it when that happens.  Its not often but when it does I feel pretty rough.  I was so frustrated that it was happening right in the middle of a beautiful time of worship.  I had to excuse myself, and proceeded to use the various techniques to reset my ticker.  Nothing was working.  My wife and my buddy, Mick, were praying for me.  In the next room they began to sing one of my all time faves – “It Is Well With My Soul.”  I finally said, “I’m going back in to worship” and I did.  I sat down and sang my racing heart out to “It Is Well” determined that I would declare in the midst of my fear and physical struggle that It Is Well.  As the song ended I went back out to attempt a reset.  We prayed and instantly my heart reset and I resumed my normal slower rhythm.  I’m thankful for the power of prayer and worship.

I’m up and at it today, pretty pumped about welcoming Precept Ministries International to RiverChurch and Cadence Coffee today.  We’re hosting a 3 hour fast track training on Inductive Bible Study this morning.  I love the inductive study method of Scripture and the folks over at Precept Ministries do a phenomenal job teaching the method and developing Bible scholars out of everyday Joe’s like you and me.  We’ve got people coming in from all over the place today.  So its going to be a fun morning.  I really can’t wait! I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow today.

Then I get to preach tomorrow the last sermon in our series called “Aftershock.”  We’re looking at some of favorite passages and one of the best stories in the OT as we ask the question, “How then shall we. . . Stand?”  I was working on it earlier this morning and MAN!!!!! I can’t wait to preach it tomorrow.  I’m thankful for the sheep God has given me to shepherd.

Yeah – I’m a little tired.  Sleeping in today would have been super nice.  But as I lay in my bed this morning I began to just say “thanks” to God.  Thanks for my wife laying next to me.  Thanks for my kids and the joys they bring to my life.  Thanks for the opportunities, the blessings, the call to serve Him that He has placed on my life.  My cup runs over today – with gratitude.

What are you thankful for?