Day 9 - Embracing the Past

This is day 9 of our Thanksgiving experiment. I was S.O.A.P.ing up this morning in 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and was reminded of God's grace and love that abounds to all sinners as Paul reminds Timothy of his own journey

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Last night I gathered with over 50 men with whom I am sharing a journey through the course A Quest for Authentic Manhood. The theme of the evening was "Looking Back", being willing to know where you've come from and how it has contributed to who you are today. Looking back is not always easy for me, memories of painful moments, an alcoholic absentee father, dead mother, step mother, highly dysfunctional blended family, wounds which have left scares as reminders of both the pain and the healing. Looking back over my past, I am in awe that God would take a young man like me who felt he could never be good enough, a liar, a cheat, afraid to let people close, and bring healing and forgiveness into his life. I also look back and know that God strategically placed men and women along the path to encourage, love and journey with me in a way that lead to hope and healing. And then finally, that God would bring me to this place in my life and would entrust to me the founding and nurturing of such an awesome church and ministry as The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch is a great mystery to me and yet a sign of his grace, mercy and love. Would I change anything about my past? No! God has used it in a redemptive way to make me who I am and who I will yet be and for that I am eternally thankful.

May I always be a leader who models God's grace, mercy and forgiveness, living with authenticity, humility and godliness, that Jesus might display his unlimited patience through my life as an example for all who follow.