I am thankful for...

Today I am thankful... for dedicated volunteers, faithful co-workers, Clemmie's cooking, and for watching dirt being moved outside my office window!

I am thankful for... a thankful church! Our services Sunday reminded me of the importance of thankful hearts and how a spirit of thankfulness is at the heart of Towne View.

Thankfulness, somewhat surprisingly, is an expression of humility. This spirit of gratitude recognizes that we couldn't- and can't- get through life on our own.  Medical professionals aid us with their skills, friends encourage us with their presence, teachers guide us with their experience, family blesses us with their love. I am thankful that when I'm empty, there's someone to "fill-me-up;" when I'm tired, there's someone to "pick-me-up;" and when I'm feeling a little down, there's someone to "lift-me-up." Our share time Sunday afternoon was filled with expressions of thankfulness from a church family for a church family that has been there in times of need.

Thankfulness is also an expression of hope. As the people of God we call Towne View Baptist Church where God has taken us gives us confident expectancy about where God will lead us. As individuals, families, and a family of families our experience of God's faithfulness allows us to face even the uncertainties of the future with the hope of God's enduring faithfulness.  Maybe this is why Paul encourages us to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Giving thanks is a simple gift with significant impact, for us we share a simple thank-you we keep ourselves grounded, honor God, and encourage others.

God leads...we follow

My mind (admittedly easily distracted) has been all over the places in recent days.

A recent visit to Grady Hospital in Atlanta coincided with reminder that the first of November marked five years since Priscilla's near-fatal car accident.  I was reminded of her tenacious spirit, the care and skill of medical teams at Grady and Kennestone, the love and support of our families and church family, and of God's faithfulness.

We've begun to have regular meetings of our twenty-fifth anniversary committee. On March 2, 2014 we celebrate the first service of Towne View Baptist Church and remember God's faithfulness over these twenty-five years. We finds ourselves in the midst of a journey, hence the theme, "God Leads...We Follow." It has been exciting to share memories of the past and plan towards this future celebration.

And, of course, Sunday's ground-breaking ceremony signified an emphatic "yes" to God's future for Towne View. A ground-breaking ceremony is a small step in the construction process but a big step for our fellowship. As God leads, we follow.

Maybe it's all the service planning we're doing these days (this Sunday, ground-breaking, anniversary service, advent planning) but my heart and mind have been filled with music recently. This morning I am drawn to the simple chorus:

O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
I will seek You in the morning and I will learn to walk in Your ways;
And step by step You'll lead me, and I will follow You all of my days.