Top 10 things I'm thankful for today

10. Coke, popcorn and movies. I love going to a movie and just getting lost in the story. Somehow, it seems a little magical (cheesy, I know) the way a story can transport us to fictional worlds (or non-fictional I guess). Wondering where the story is going, how it'll end; I just love the whole process. I love a good book too, but I typically don't enjoy popcorn and a coke when I read. Maybe a coke.

9. Music. All kinds. I love that it can inspire us, make us want to move, bring back memories and change our focus. Music is the color to my audio world. Thanks God for music.

8. Our awesome youth staff. I'm so thankful that people who love God and like students are working with our fantastic group. We're beginning some good new things, and I know that we're going to make a huge difference for Christ here in Columbia. I'm proud to minister with you.

7. Getting to be on staff at a great church. We have been here two and a half years now and love Grace and Columbia more and more all the time. I love our staff! We have so much fun and work together so well. I am proud to minister alongside you.

6. A calling on my life that I actually get to do for a living. I love trying to help our students learn to love God and love others. We have the coolest young men and women on the planet at Grace, hands down. With all their quirks, they are each so unique and amazing. I'm proud to be a part of a team of adults who love God and like students.

5. My family. I wouldn't be who I am without them. My mom, dad and sister have always been there for me with words of wisdom, encouragement, and guidance. They have shown me what it means to follow Jesus. I'm so happy God put us all together. I love you. I'm thankful for my in-laws as well. I know that many people are not too crazy about their in-laws, but I love mine. We always have a fun time together and I love to see how God is moving in your lives.

4. For the many great friends that I've had throughout my life. No matter what, God has given me people to laugh with, cry with and minister with. I am grateful to you and hope that I've been as much a friend to you as you all have been to me.

3. For Hayden and Emily, our awesome kids. You bring so much joy to my life that it's hard to describe. Watching you as you grow older and wiser, constantly learning...there's just nothing like it. May you love God, and love others. I am proud to be your father.

2. For my loving and faithful wife and friend. Can't believe we'll hit the double digits this year for our anniversary! I love that we still laugh and have fun today more than ever. I love to watch you as you raise our kids, and minister to our students. You are such a blessing. I love you so much Kristy! I am proud to be your husband.

1. That God loved me first, before I was worth anything to Him. (Romans 5:8) You are my everything, nothing has meaning outside of that. I am humbled to be called yours.

Mark 10:17-21 "It's Not About the Money"

I was reading in Mark chapter 10 today and came across the familiar passage where the rich young guy asked Jesus (whom he called "Good Teacher") what he must do to inherit eternal life. I've read it many times. What struck me this time was that when Jesus answers his question, he lists a few of the ten commandments; but no mention of "having no other gods before [him]". I don't know why that stuck out to me. Part of me thinks he should have said "love God and love others" (Matthew 22:37-39). Jesus tells him there's one thing has yet to do: sell all his possessions, give his money to the poor; and then follow him.

Many times in reading this, the part about giving the proceeds from the sale of his possessions to the poor has seemed to be a major focus; I'm not quite sure why. Maybe it's the thought of giving away everything. I'm pretty sure though that if that's what we focus on- we're really missing it. The main idea here is that the young man put his whole trust in Jesus, not in his own accomplishments.

Later on in verse 24 Jesus is telling his followers that it's "very hard for those who trust in riches" to enter the Kingdom of God. I'm thinking/wondering that he meant not only monetary riches, but perhaps those of us who actually are trying to follow Christ in our everyday lives are tempted to (at times) trust in our own efforts towards salvation or being good enough. Which of course brings us back to grace.

I'm pretty sure that this passage is all about our absolute and total reliance on the work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection; and not on our tries to measure up.