Twenty-first anniversary of my ordination

Giving thanks today, largely aware of ways that the Lord has carried me in spite of myself and all kinds of craziness over the last twenty-one years.

Thanks to...

Alice Linsley, who sent a kind message in a recent post on this blog.

My dear friends in California, Dick & Diane Bollinger. They sent Al Mohler's book, He Is Not Silent. A great celebration of expository preaching and the calling to preach.

My partner Bob Farris in Georgia. He sent along a great little collaboration by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner and Lane Jones - 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. This couldn't have been more timely, as we are about to elect our parish officers and then gather them for a retreat.

In one of my recent posts here, I remarked on my flirtation with Kazantzakis' "last temptation" - the temptation to walk away from God's calling and lead a "normal" life. How amazing that people in very different places were moved to send greetings and readings that affirmed my calling and cheered me to keep running the race that God has set before me.

And blessings on the people of Good Shepherd, Sioux Falls. Their love, sincerity, joy in hearing the Gospel and so many other qualities keep me going.

Finally, thanks to my family: Melissa, Tim and Joey. Much of what I do and go through makes little enough sense to me... I can only guess and what they endure. I'm sure they would like a "normal" life, too. I am grateful that they put up with the adventure.