The Bible says in Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Then in Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Bro. Chris Tefft, my junior high Bible teacher, used to say all the time, “Thankfulness takes thinkfulness.” How true! At many instances in my life, I have been called an “over-thinker.” Well…I have definitely thought a lot about this post. In doing so, I am very overwhelmed with gratitude to many people in my life. Here are a few of them:

1. Jesus Christ – this one is a no-brainer! Where would any of us be with out Jesus? I honestly cannot answer my own question. I am fearful of where my family would be if it was not for Jesus! The price he paid on the cross is one that none of us can ever repay! If you do not know Him as your personal Saviour, click on the link “Eternity” before you read any farther!

2. My Wife – I definitely married the sweetest, most wonderful woman in the world! To live with a psychotic guy like me, you must be wonderful!!! In all seriousness, I would not be doing anything that I am doing today if I did not have my wife Mindy with me. She is my best friend and soul mate!

3. My Kids – Alexis, Haylee, and Hayden…you are one of a kind! You humble me and keep me laughing. Thank you for giving me the privilege to be your daddy (not that you had a choice)!

4. Dad and Mom – You deserve a whole lot more than a blog post thanking you for all you have done! Dad, you have been a phenomenal example of what a Christian husband and father should be like. Mom, you have shown me how  to deal with six kids at one time and look like you love doing it! You have shown Mindy and me what it is to be parents that “train up a child in the way he should go…” Dad, you have exemplified what it is to be a hard worker. More importantly, you have shown me what it is to be a prayer warrior. Mom, again, you have been the epitome of a patient, helpful, and loving mother. You guys are the best! I love you both dearly!

5. Pastor Ray Cazis – God has blessed me throughout my life by giving me great men of God to be my pastor. Pastor, I have spent hours upon hours with you and have seen the way you live the Christian life. You are one of the greatest Christians I have ever met. You have motivated me to truly know the Bible and to walk humbly with my God. Thank you for taking a chance on an unproven 25 year old! It is a high honor to serve you at International!

6. Bro. Eddie Lapina - Not every Christian young person has the privilege of having a godly youth pastor. There is no doubt that I did! Bro. Eddie was my youth pastor growing up at the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana. If there has been anyone in my life that has proved to me that the Christian life is a lot of fun, it was and is Bro. Eddie. At a time in my life when I was not sure if I believed in myself, Bro. Eddie believed in me. Why am I a youth pastor today? Besides the obvious-God’s will…I am a youth pastor today because I wanted to be like Bro. Ed. He was and still is an outstanding Christian man. Not only that, but he is 100% real! There is no “fluff” with him…he is legit! Bro. Ed, thanks for believing in and loving an arrogant, rebellious, frustrated teen that appreciated your “realness!”

7. Bro. Ricky Torres - In February of 2002, I became the superintendent of the “C” Teen Department at First Baptist Church of Hammond. It was then that my journey with Bro. Ricky Torres began. Let me tell you, on that journey, there was never a dull moment! Bro. Ricky is the youth pastor to the high school teens from Chicago that attend FBC Hammond (not sure the exact name of his position). Bro. Ricky taught me a lot about working with and understanding inner-city teens. In my opinion, Bro. Ricky is the most underrated youth pastor in the world! I do not know anybody that puts in more time with their teens as he does. Bro. Rick, thanks for taking me under your wing and being a mentor, big brother, and close friend to me!

8. IBC Teens – To all the International Baptist teens…you have inspired me to be a better Christian. You have been overcomers and soldiers for the Lord through some tough situations! I have watched many of you live in rough home situations and strive to do right regardless. You have been an encouragement to my wife and me since day one. I look forward to observing you as you do God’s will! Thanks for you prayers. We love you all!!!

I have to stop there or I would be going on and on! I just wanted to thank several people/groups for the impact they made on me! I do want to make sure that I also thank the International Baptist Church family, First Baptist Church folks, “B”, “C”, “D” Teens, HBHS teachers and Mr. Boyd,  and all of my friends for everything they have done for me!

Think about those that have influenced you greatly and say thank you to them…they will definitely appreciate it!

We would have to be blind to not see how good God has been to all of us!

Psalm 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.