Today is my birthday and I’m turning 43. The strange thing is that in many ways I feel like my life is just beginning. I’m still learning so much stuff and experiencing so many new things. God never lets it get boring…neither do my children! ;)
Whenever my birthday rolls around, I find that I get really reflective. I think about where I’ve been and where I’m headed. I can’t help it. With that in mind, I hope you all don’t mind if I share with you some things for which I am most thankful. The truth is that I simply can’t let this day go by without publicly expressing my thanks for the following:
- Jesus: Honestly, I’m sure I’d be dead right now if Jesus hadn’t stepped in and saved me all those years ago. When few people saw anything of value in me, He came and radically transformed my life. I’m still amazed by the grace and mercy that has been continually shown to me since that day.
- My Wife: What would my life look like without my beloved, Amy? She is the most wonderful person I’ve ever known and I get to spend my life with her! She makes my life so enjoyable. God uses her to minimize every pain and maximize every joy.
- My Kids: The amount of life my kids inject into my existence is staggering. They are each so very different but they are all so wonderful. I find myself wishing I could live to be 150 just so that I could watch them go through every phase of life. They each have a place engraved in my heart.
- My Staff and Church Family: My staff is simply awesome. I think we’re really more of a family than just coworkers. It is a great privilege to get to serve with such high-caliber people. Then, of course, there’s the wonderful Fusion family. It’s hard to communicate just what an honor and a joy it is to lead such a wonderful group of people.
I am a blessed man and I thank God for His many blessings in my life!
Your lovely words brought tears to my eyes! Yes indeed, you are so blessed. I look forward to reading your next entry.
Your lovely words brought tears to my eyes! Yes indeed, you are so blessed. I look forward to reading your next entry.
Awesome!
“God uses her to minimize every pain and maximize every joy.” I love that. Amy is SO special and has such a great effect on anyone she’s around.
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..Deception and Heartache =-.
Awesome!
“God uses her to minimize every pain and maximize every joy.” I love that. Amy is SO special and has such a great effect on anyone she’s around.
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..Deception and Heartache =-.
You do have a wonderful wife and some fantastic kids! I am also thankful that Jesus saved you and transformed your life. He used you to bring me to a saving knowledge of Him. I’m one in a long line of people who is grateful that you were born today these 43 years ago. God is awesome! I hope you have a great day celebrating this special day. May this year be an amazing one for you. Happy Birthday!
Angie, you really blessed me with your comment. Thank you for that. We love you guys so very much!
You do have a wonderful wife and some fantastic kids! I am also thankful that Jesus saved you and transformed your life. He used you to bring me to a saving knowledge of Him. I’m one in a long line of people who is grateful that you were born today these 43 years ago. God is awesome! I hope you have a great day celebrating this special day. May this year be an amazing one for you. Happy Birthday!
Angie, you really blessed me with your comment. Thank you for that. We love you guys so very much!
Hey Tony, I hope you have a really good day and get a little more idea of how special you are to so many of us.
Hey Tony, I hope you have a really good day and get a little more idea of how special you are to so many of us.
Thanks, Roger!
Thanks, Roger!
Happy Birthday! Blessings on your day, and be thankful that you cherish God in your life, your bride, and your children.
I’m 40 and I’m in the same boat as you. Seem to be learning more now than ever.
Happy Birthday! Blessings on your day, and be thankful that you cherish God in your life, your bride, and your children.
I’m 40 and I’m in the same boat as you. Seem to be learning more now than ever.
Happy Birthday Tony! I dropped you an email but that’s so old school . . .plus I think I have an old email address for you :-)
I can confirm that 43 is really really really young!
Your friend,
Nelson
Thanks, Nelson! I appreciate both the birthday wishes AND the moral support about being a youthful 43! :)
Happy Birthday Tony! I dropped you an email but that’s so old school . . .plus I think I have an old email address for you :-)
I can confirm that 43 is really really really young!
Your friend,
Nelson
Thanks, Nelson! I appreciate both the birthday wishes AND the moral support about being a youthful 43! :)
Happy Father’s day and Happy Birthday… all in one week!
When I first started coming to Fusion (Mill Creek) Church, June 18th just happened to be on a Sunday and it was father’s day. Then Pastor Tony announced that it was his birthday. I love celebrating when someone’s birthday comes around each year… it’s like one’s own personal holiday, sort of.
It’s not too much of a coincidence when you meet someone else that has the same birth date as you, since there are only 366 different days, counting Feb. 29th each leap year. Then I recalled someone else who was born on June 18th who is also a very talented and creative genius, or Gemini. Paul McCartney, the man who has written many songs about love and made a sucessful career of it, shares the same birth day (in 1942). Other talented Geminis include Leonardo Da Vinci (whose works will be displayed at the High Museum on Peachtree St. in October), President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Anne Frank, whose diary has become read by millions, etc. etc.
Anyway, I’m glad Pastor Tony has used his talents in a benevolent and altruistic way that has brought so many people closer to understanding God’s love for us. God loves us like a father because he is our father, who sent his only Son, the “unspeakable gift” to become the intercessor between our sinful nature and His perfection, who knows no sin.
Happy Birthday Pastor Tony! Thanks for sharing and teaching in a way that even I can understand. Happy Father’s day, too. Your kids are truly blessed to have you and Amy as their parents. May they always know that.
Happy Father’s day and Happy Birthday… all in one week!
When I first started coming to Fusion (Mill Creek) Church, June 18th just happened to be on a Sunday and it was father’s day. Then Pastor Tony announced that it was his birthday. I love celebrating when someone’s birthday comes around each year… it’s like one’s own personal holiday, sort of.
It’s not too much of a coincidence when you meet someone else that has the same birth date as you, since there are only 366 different days, counting Feb. 29th each leap year. Then I recalled someone else who was born on June 18th who is also a very talented and creative genius, or Gemini. Paul McCartney, the man who has written many songs about love and made a sucessful career of it, shares the same birth day (in 1942). Other talented Geminis include Leonardo Da Vinci (whose works will be displayed at the High Museum on Peachtree St. in October), President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Anne Frank, whose diary has become read by millions, etc. etc.
Anyway, I’m glad Pastor Tony has used his talents in a benevolent and altruistic way that has brought so many people closer to understanding God’s love for us. God loves us like a father because he is our father, who sent his only Son, the “unspeakable gift” to become the intercessor between our sinful nature and His perfection, who knows no sin.
Happy Birthday Pastor Tony! Thanks for sharing and teaching in a way that even I can understand. Happy Father’s day, too. Your kids are truly blessed to have you and Amy as their parents. May they always know that.