Last night after the excitement of the day had died down I sat in my recliner and thought about something from yesterday's message. I talked just a little bit about how God had blessed David out of His goodness, and not because of David's goodness. God does the same thing for us. He blesses us constantly in ways we don't deserve and could never earn. As I sat there vegging out, I thought of a few of those ways that God has blessed me out of His goodness. Here's some that came to mind:
Forgiveness. He always gives it and I always need it. That's a perfect combination.
His Word. Over the last few months I have been reminded that the more time I spend reading the Bible, the more I understand what God wants me to become.
My wife. God knew exactly what He was doing when He chose to bless me with Sherry. She is my best encourager and my biggest fan, and there's nowhere I'd rather be than by her side.
My girls. Being a Dad to Emily and Grace is one of the things I'm most proud of. God has given me beautiful, smart, and fun daughters, and I love to hang out with them.
Friends that let me be normal. I never was comfortable being around pastors who were always "pastoral". I learned after serving on church staff that some guys always act that way because the churches they serve expect them to be that way. They have tried to fill the role of the perfect pastor because they think it's what people want. Thankfully, God has blessed me with friends at Freedom who just expect me to be Cliff. It doesn't bother them that I'd rather listen to Bruce Springsteen than Casting Crowns, or that I get so mad watching the Carolina Clemson game that I only watch it alone. If I ever had to be pastoral I'd have to quit being a pastor because I'm not very good at it.
The list could go on and on. Take a few minutes to today to think of ways God has blessed you out of His goodness. I'd love to hear what some of them are if you're not too scared to leave a comment!
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6 comments:
My wife tells perfect strangers (even Balki and Cousin Larry) that I'm a fabulous preacher. No pressure there on Sunday mornings
My congregation can tell when it's "me" preaching or when I'm just giving them a bunch of stuff I've read that seems too expensive to stay on the shelf for a while.
I've found lots of old friends on facebook!
I can fun like the wind blows--no, wait! that's not me.
I am at the beach- when you sit and relax and listen to the surf- you know you are blessed by GOD's beuaty.
Plus- I have this normal dud ast a pastor
who helps me make sense of it all in ways I can understand.
Going to the Chonch House before Faye visits.
Amanda
Cliff-
I'm blessed to have a pastor who has the strength to post that one of his favorite albums of all time is Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon"!!!
Mark - I'm thinking of doing a whole series of blog posts on my five favorite albums I own, but I'm wondering if anyone other than the two of us would find it interesting. Maybe we should just go to lunch one day to discuss it over some chips at El Mariachi.
Ahh gee make us think why don't ya. In these times of the bad dollar with so many struggling the chance to go to work and come home to a house is a pretty good deal.
Having coverage for a neurosurgeon rocks alot too.
I also meant to add; a "favorite albums" blog would be great but only if you include your love for Tiffany songs of the late 80's.
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