Salt and light...

It's Thanksgiving day. It's the official beginning of the "holiday season". I can't think of a more appropriate time to blog about all the people and things that I'm thankful for right now. If you're not specifically mentioned in here, it doesn't mean that I'm not thankful for you. It just means I'm tired and not thinking clearly. Here's to you...

Thanks to God, first, last and always for being the Rock that He is, and for being the giver of all good things.

Thanks to Jesus, for giving us the ultimate gift, and the hope and purpose that goes with it.

Thanks to my parents for giving me life, and teaching me to follow Christ faithfully.

Thanks to my Dad, specifically, for being an awesome example of what a godly father and husband looks like.

Thanks to my brother, Erick, for being the only real brother I'll ever have. Fraternal ties are one thing, but blood and family runs thicker than all else.

Thanks to Bruce Runnels, Lance Burch, Rusty Manning, John Greene, Jim Dishman, Kerwin Smith, Mike Stephenson and Karl Smithhart, for modeling godly manhood and helping shape my first 18 years.

Thanks to Ryan Ferden, for being my best friend and motivator for more years than I can count.

Thanks to the Wright Brothers, for making flight a reality and giving a young boy reason to dream big dreams.

Thanks to Coach Davis, for giving a stubborn young man a chance to play the game he loves.

Thanks to Melissa Magnani, for giving me my first look at romantic infatuation, and for putting up with more from me than I ever deserved.

Thanks to Nyc Moy, for being one of the biggest influences on my life to this point; for not letting go of me and dragging me into BYX; for putting up with my immaturity the whole first 18 months you knew me; for demanding that I interview with Pine Cove; for being my brother, seriously; for being man enough to tell another dude, "I love you."; for being my trusted advisor, confidant and accountability partner; for being a partner in ministry (past, present and future).

Thanks to Darren Stewart, for being the first non-blood roommate I've ever had; for showing mercy and grace as we grew up together; for being a loyal friend through more trials than I can count.

Thanks to "Big Tim" Mabry, for being a brother in the truest sense of the word; for being one of the strongest and funniest people I know; for popping my cigar cherry.

Thanks to Katie Craycroft, for introducing me to what an absolutely broken heart feels like; teaching me some of the hardest lessons I've ever learned; for forcing me to trust God and submit.

Thanks to Pine Cove Christian Camps and the myriad of people there that changed my life forever. I've grown more in Christ and as a man there than I have anywhere else.

Thanks to Melissa Blackie, for giving me an excuse to go to Colorado; for teaching me to listen; for helping me learn when God is demanding action.

Thanks to all the guys in BYX, every last one of you, for living out the fellowship and accountability we speak about; for being iron that sharpens iron; for extending me grace and mercy during this last year that I've called the shots; for being solid examples of college men living with purpose and a higher calling.

Thanks to Bethann Werblo, for being who you are, unashamedly; for being consistently honest with me, even when it's not easy; for having a tender heart and potential in this life that few people understand; for being one of my best friends.

Thanks to Katey Thies, for being one of BYX's strongest supporters; for taking on life's challenge with grace and elegance; for being kind of a big deal; for being too big for any mountain ;).

Thanks to Zak Lampman, for being my second little brother; for helping me understand that age has nothing to do with wisdom; for leading the Psi Class to greatness; for continuing the tradition of excellence and lead BYX into the future.

Thanks to Megan Strout, for helping me understand that I had it wrong all along; for being one of the best listeners I know; for being completely original and refreshing; for pushing for my very best and having an idea for every situation; for shaking up my perspective and forcing me to re-assess my definitions; for putting God first and being a captivating example of godly womanhood.

Thanks to the pledges of the Omega class and their president, Tony Hensdill, for successfully kidnapping me (3 minutes into the game) and demanding I step it up as their leader; for holding me to a higher standard and demanding excellence from me.

Thanks to you, for reading this blog; for allowing God to use me to impact your life; for telling me how my words have done you good; for blessing me with your support and encouragement.

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Now for some lighter fare...

Thanks to steak, for being so delicious.

Thanks to basketball, for being so much fun; for teaching me what real competition looks like; for being my sanctuary when I need some quality alone time.

Thanks to hot tubs, for relaxing me and making for a great addition and social attraction in my backyard.

Thanks to cigars, hookah, pipes, etc., for being fun to smoke; for causing unceasing laughter and great memories with brothers.

Thanks to organic chemistry, for whipping my tail this semester; for teaching me that not everything in school comes easy; for ticking me off and making me buckle down and finish strong.

Thanks to the Air Force and the rest of our armed forces, for defending freedom and giving their lives so you and I are safe to enjoy ours; for giving me a chance to serve my country and wear the best looking uniform on planet Earth.

Thanks to sweat, for feeling so good on my skin after a hard workout, or just plain old work.

Thanks to the internet and technology, for being amazing and blowing my mind on a daily basis.

Thanks to good books, poetry, the theater and ballet, and live music, for being the zest in an otherwise bland culture.

Thanks to music and my guitar, for letting me worship my God in song; for letting me feel like a rockstar, 5 minutes at a time.

Thanks to all the things and people I can't think of right now. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.






Be blessed, my friends. Until next time...