31 Things

Well, dear friends, it's been a tough week but God is good. Driving to work tonight I saw these encouraging words on the Free Methodist Church in Peterborough:

Life isn't always fair but God is always faithful.

So true! In the midst of our trials He stands forever faithful! Hallelujah!

On the eve of the 31st of August, I want to thank God for 31 things. The list could go on and on but I'll just list 31 things worthy of praise and thanksgiving. I'll add one prayer request as well.

1. The faithfulness of God
2. His grace and mercy which are amazing
3. His salvation which I experienced when I was only 6 years old
4. The great and precious promises found in His Word.
5. The inspired, inerrant, infallible scriptures.
6. The blessed hope of the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
7. Godly men who pioneered the gospel and left a legacy for those who come behind
8. The testimonies of men like Spurgeon, Taylor, Muller, Moody, Wesley and others
9. Godly women like Elisabeth Elliot, Amy Carmichael, Isobel Kuhn and Fanny Crosby
10. Godly parents who taught me to love the Lord and follow Him
11. The spiritual gifts that God has graciously granted to me
12. The power of the Holy Spirit to carry out the Lord's work
13. Godly friends who invest in my life and ministry
14. Faithful supporters who have encouraged me in the various ministries I'm involved with
15. A loving supportive wife who stands with me during the good times and the bad
16. The children and grandchildren who God has blessed me with
17. The church in which I was raised where I was taught the fundamentals of the faith
18. The opportunity to be on staff for several years at The Peoples Church in Toronto
19. The trip of a lifetime to Bristol, England earlier this year
20. My library of life-changing Christian books
21. The calling of God on my life to offer encouragement to athletes
22. Friendships with hundreds of professional athletes over the past 30 plus years
23. The mentorship of men like Paul Collet and Keith Price
24. The fellowship of Pilgrim Pals which God has assembled in the last several months
25. A lovely home in the country
26. A measure of good health over the years
27. The opportunity to own and manage a Christian bookstore for 15 years
28. The relationship with Jesus Christ that continues to grow every day
29. The joy of working with the Peterborough Petes and the Liftlock Stars hockey teams
30. Men like John MacArthur, John Piper and James MacDonald who faithfully contend for the faith
31. A relatively sound mind which can recall God's faithfulness over the years

That's my feeble attempt to list 31 things I'm grateful for.

My most pressing prayer request is that God would miraculously provide for our financial needs which are many.

Pilgrim Pals, why not add your list of 31 things you are grateful to God for. And...you can add a prayer request. Go ahead! I'm anxious to read your lists.

Good night, friends!

~ David