Tuesday, November 26, 2013

A Time to Give Thanks

This is the time of year to be thankful for how God has blessed us. It's a time of reflection where we take pause to think about what has happened in the past, and to dream about where we might be going in the future. I have a lot to be thankful for as a follower of Jesus, as a husband, as a father, and as a pastor.

I am thankful for the incredible community of Christians who belong to the church at North Way East End. We are currently the smallest North Way campus in terms of attendance, but our campus is filled with passionate followers of Jesus who are longing to live their lives as a part of God's redemptive mission. We are growing in our relationship with God, and we are growing in relationships with one another.

I am thankful for the streets of East Liberty and Homewood that God has called me to. I love urban ministry, and I am blessed to be able to serve as a pastor in such a diverse part of my city. I am blessed to lead a church that values relationships across ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries in our society. I have seen God do amazing things in Pittsburgh, and I am expecting even greater things to come. God is growing us. We are reaching our city.

I am thankful for celebrating fifteen years of marriage with Julie. I am blessed to be able to be a father to Kyra and Sierra. I am thankful for my neighbors on my street in Homewood. I am thankful for my friends and extended family members who bring so much joy to my life. God has me on quite an adventure, and I have amazing people to journey through this life with.

I have many hopes and dreams for this coming season of life. That's what dreamers do... we dream. I can't wait to see what God does in this coming year, both personally and in the church that God has called me to lead. I wake up each day with great expectations for what God is going to do. I am thankful to be able to have hope like that. 

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