Yesterday was an interesting day for me.  I launched a new series, celebrated father’s day, and experienced my 40th birthday all in one 24–hour period!  Not many men can make that claim.

Turning forty is a bit of a milestone and I’ve found myself reflecting a lot about life, love, family, ministry, callings and God.  I will spare you guys all the details but I do want to thank God for the many blessings He has placed in my life…

First, I simply must thank Him for calling me to Himself in June of 1983.  I gave my life to Him during an altar call at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker, Georgia.  I didn’t fully understand what I was doing but I understood enough to decide to follow Him and He’s been working on me and with me for over 23 years now. 

Father, thank you for opening my eyes and receiving me with open arms.  I haven’t always been there for you but you have always been there for me.  Thanks too, God, for calling me to the ministry.  I’m still dumbfounded that You chose me for this task.  I honestly don’t understand why but I’m thankful.

God was gracious enough to not only save me but He also brought into my life my precious wife.  She is truly the greatest thing that has ever happened to me other than the Lord.  She is simply an amazing partner and my dearest friend.  Beyond all that, she’s just the best person I know.

Sweetie, your love for me and faith in me has forever changed my life.  I could not love you more!  I respect and admire you more than you could ever know.  Thank you for all these wonderful years together, and for the ones to come.

Next on the list of great blessings in my life is my children.  I have four amazing children and one incredible daughter in the Lord.  How can I communicate how important and wonderful my kids are to me?  God teaches me about Himself and His father’s love through my kids all the time.  I learn so much from each of them every day.  It’s a privilege and an honor to be their dad.

Kids, your old man isn’t perfect by any means but he loves you with his whole heart and he thanks God for each of you every day!  You all are my pride and joy!

Then, of course, there’s my amazing staff.  As I’ve said before, my staff are like family to me.  I love them and working on the church with them brings me great joy. 

Guys, thanks for joining me on this wild ride.  I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it without you!

It’s hard to explain how much I love the church I pastor.  The people of Mill Creek are an inspiration to me week after week. 

Church, I tell you guys all the time that I love you and I do.  In fact, because of God’s vision in my heart, I loved you guys before I ever even met you all.  Thanks for being such a great church!

Last, but by no means least, are all my dear friends, in and out of the ministry, that have been there for me over the years.  I know a lot of people but I really only have a handful of close friends and you guys know who you are. 

Guys, thank you for sticking with me through thick and thin.  Thanks for standing with me and helping me walk down this road.  I wouldn’t be here today, and neither would Mill Creek, without you guys!

Well, I guess that’s enough on this topic for now.  I’ve got to go and start working on the next forty years.