What's the land God wants to give you in your life? What victory do you need to have over your shortcomings, weaknesses, and failures? I'm always learning about my own particular faults. For example, it can be hard for me to do the right thing, to swallow my pride at times, to humble myself and apologize. I sometimes struggle with fear of being unneeded, under-valued, or redundant. As a leader I am trying to step back and let others take the limelight, but I'm often distracted by my own fragile ego, and plagued by concerns of being overshadowed by others. These are ugly and embarrassing sins in my life, but I trust God to give me victory in each one. And then it won't stop there, as He will reveal more and more areas in which he wants to have His way! What about you? How can you be strong and courageous? What enemy does Jesus need to conquer in you?

Ugh, I get about two questions from @grok now, and then "You've used up your media generation credits." I guess they've tightened up the tokens paid accounts are allowed to use? I'm not even generating media, so this is weird...

Lastnight we had men's group at the church. We had taken a break for the summer, and last night was the first for this next year. Here are some things I am thankful for: PAST: I am thankful for the various men in my life who came alongside me and taught me. I am particularly thankful for Dan Jansen, a young man I was friends with in my twenties. He was popular, spiritually minded, and a natural leader. He gave me regular "lessons" on how to behave around others which helped me begin to make friends and understand how I was coming across to others. I thank God for him, and for bringing us together. I thank God for giving me a receptive heart to his challenges and criticisms. PRESENT: I am thankful for the men I am in relationship with through the church. They cover a wide range of ages, and I appreciate them. I thank God for their prayers for me, and for their strength to share their own struggles with me so I might pray for them. FUTURE: I am thankful that God will continue to place men in my life, some of whom I can bless, and others who bless me.

Well, I missed yesterday in my #ThanksgivingJournal ... but here's my next one... Today's thoughts are partly in response to someone's comment about being thankful for the things that have gone bad, not just the things that have gone well. Here goes: PAST: I am thankful for the hardships, the failures, the churches who fired me, the friends who abandoned me, the relationships lost, my broken heart many times. I'm thankful for these not because I'm a sucker for punishment, or because I like pain. I am thankful for them because my loving Father has always been about the job of making me into the person he wants me to be. He has disciplined me because he loves me. He has redirected me because he has plans for me; to give me a hope and a future. PRESENT: There are current disappointments in my life, and I won't resist them, because I am trying to learn from my past experiences. I am thankful that someday I will look back upon them and see his loving hand guiding me through, holding me and protecting me. FUTURE: I know that on this side of eternity, I will never be "done" with pain. That means that I will never see the end of God's provision and love. He will hold me in those times too, and protect me from myself, and bless me as he seeks to glorify Himself through me. Thank you, God.

Here's my third day of trying to keep a #ThanksgivingJournal PAST: I'm thankful for my grandmother, my mother, and other women from my church when I was a child. They prayed for me faithfully while I was at Bible college, and sometimes sent me surprise care-packages and even money! Their consistent prayers must have played a big part in the work God was doing in me. PRESENT: I'm thankful for all of the older women (and men too!) in my church who carry on the work of ministry, sometimes in the background and sometimes in the foreground! I believe there are spiritual wars that these seniors are waging that we have no idea about! Thank you God for prompting them to pray and giving them the strength to continue in prayer! FUTURE: I am thankful that God is increasing in me a greater appreciation for the need to pray. I am thankful that he will give me the desire, the strength, and the words to hold up my brothers in sisters when they are in need.

I'm continuing my 30 Day #ThanksgivingJournal today! PAST: I'm so thankful that God worked things out in my life such that I could meet my lovely wife, Joanne. We've had 32 years of marriage, and she has had a giant influence on me for the better. Thank you Lord! PRESENT: I'm thankful for the beauty of autumn colours, right outside my window today. The bright orange, yellow, and red leaves are a vibrant reminder of the creativity of God. Not only am I thankful for their beauty, but I am thankful that he's given me the ability to appreciate this beauty! FUTURE: I am thankful that God will provide all my needs, as he has been faithful to do my whole life!

On Sunday our pastor talked about the importance of living in a regular state of thanksgiving, and not saving it for once a year. He challenged us to start a thanksgiving journal every day for 30 days in which we list three things we're thankful for; past, present, and future. PAST: I am thankful that God has been at work in my heart since my youngest days, calling to me, seeking me, and making me want to know him. PRESENT: I am thankful that God has provided me with the desire to know Him, and share Him with everyone around me. FUTURE: I am thankful that God will continue to draw me to himself, and make me into the man he wants me to be!

COMING SOON! For in this hope We were saved But hope that is seen is no hope at all! For in this hope We were saved For who hopes for they already have? distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ja…

Many of us are happy and satisfied to go through life in our own strength. Some find it hard to imagine why there's a need to involve God at all. Everything's fine. If I'm not struggling, if all seems to be going my way, and circumstances are already perfect, why would I seek God? What would you tell me? Is there anything that can be said to push a person into faith?

Happy Thanksgiving Sunday, my Canadian friends! I'm thankful for my family, my home, my beautiful wife, my church, my friends, and to my God for providing every good thing!

My newest song comes out next Friday, but here's a sneak peak! youtube.com/watch?v=pJ8y5DCo…

Hey, notice this? Paul's "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" in verse 14 uses clothing language, at the end of a deliberate wardrobe metaphor across the passage. "Cast off" the works of darkness and "put on" the armour of light. Put on Christ himself: the armour is a Person. Curiously, this passage is the one that converted Augustine. He flipped open the Bible to Romans 13:13-14, which condemns "reveling and drunkenness, … sexual immorality and sensuality." He wrote that as he finished the sentence, a light of certainty flooded his heart and the darkness of doubt fled. That single passage reshaped Western Christianity through him. Anyway, just some neat things from this passage!

What would you recommend as a daily devotional podcast or reading?

This is all the more urgent, For you know how late it is; Time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation Our salvation's nearer now Than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; The day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, And put on the shining armour of right living.

Amazon: amazon.com/music/player/albu…

Apple: music.apple.com/us/album/we-…

Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/0zo7p…