By the way, I meant to call you during the Christmas break, but things got crazy and it slipped my mind. We really need to get together just for lunch or something. I would benefit from your fellowship and Godly wisdom. Let’s try to hook up in the first quarter of the year, what do you say? I’ll bring you a puritan paperback, and you can return the favor with a solid work from Gill

After reading your list of thankfulness I found myself in tears even as I type these words. Though you and I disagree on some things I realized that I don’t have to ” Try and win the war in proving I’m right ” all the time. You are my brother and I’m thankful for your blog and openness in this section.

I was humbled greatly today myself. I had lunch with Dr. James Merritt today at the Mall of Ga after church. He met me at Ruby Tuesday’s because I needed an older man in my life who was a believer. He spoke great Biblical truths to me that I needed to hear. I have been really down for a while because my parents and older brother can’t understand why I left the megachurch scene as far as pastoral staff. They can’t believe I pastor 45 members of a Calvinistic Baptist Church that rents a little building. They tell me all the time why don’t I go back and quit dying on specific principals such as calvinism and other things you would agree with. I’m 36 yrs old but still crave my familys blessing. I’m thankful for wife and kids who are “Proud” of me. Though Dr. Merritt is not a five point calvinist he helped me so much today. I have realized how hard my heart has gotten to those who don’t believe every point that I do. I was on Dr. Merritt’s staff at FBC Snellville in the 90’s and he was like a dad to me. I said all this to say this : I’m thankful that the Lord has humbled me to build back some relationships with those who don’t exactly believe every point that I do. I’m greatful for the fatherly advice and guidance he gave me today.

I was referring to noticing, specifically, and giving thanks/recognizing when believers produce fruit of the Spirit towards me which is ultimately Christ’s work in them. Of course, I ended with “and giving thanks and praise for that, rather than first noticing their faults and shortcomings.” — implying that our human nature tends to notice people’s faults well before their graces. Humility, I hope, is beginning to teach me to try and do otherwise.

Hope that helps!

I have my own impressions of what it this means, but if you could expand on this some time, it would be great.

I hope this year brings you at least some respite from your trials. Good times are a blessing as well!