A Lion…

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As I go through life it is my goal to bring praise to his name who created it all!

“…Christ will be exalted in my body…”

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Let’s start today with some worship together…

Today’s encouragement will be a little different than previous ones. I had a thought, a word, an encouragement myself this past week that I wanted to pass along…

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So I talked about a little over a year ago a men’s conference I attended back in September 2024 called Dry Bones Men’s Conference.

This was right before I went to Chicago, IL for my third brain surgery. At the conference many points hit me but the one that hit me the most was a worship song we sang a couple of times. I’ll say it again, if you’ve never heard a big group of men sing in unison “You’ve got in lion inside your lungs…” you’re missing out!

Now fast forward to Chicago. I’m in the hospital, my parents stayed in Chicago with me while I was up there. Since my rehab schedule was sporadic throughout the day they’d come to visit about once a day, we’d visit, and they usually brought me something to eat while we visited (like Chicago deep dish pizza). In the evening I’d go through a sermon series by Pastor Mark Driscoll on the book of Daniel and take notes as I went through the sermons (oh to have that free time).

Well, fast forward again to today. I’ve mentioned a weekly bible study I’m a part of. Well we started going through the book of Daniel after our summer break. The friend who pointed me to that sermon series by Pastor Mark Driscoll (Kingdom Down) is also in the Bible study. We were able to discuss it a bit and suggest the sermon series to the group. I’ve listened to the sermons a few times again but some weeks I cannot find the time but I do have my notes from a year ago to add to the discussion.

Our meeting last week was on Daniel chapter 6 – The Lion’s Den (if you’re familiar). Well this week has been busy so I reviewed my notes I took in Chicago about a year ago while in the rehab hospital. And was excited to read my notes, today I’m thankful!

Today, I’m thankful for reminders from the word of God. I’m thankful for friends who I get to spend time in the Word of God. I’m thankful for moments in worship. I’m thankful for notes and the habit of reading I started after my stroke.

The song Gratitude by Brandon Lake hit me hard right before going to Chicago. The man I was invited to Dry Bones Conference by is one who came to Chicago the day of my surgery. He is also in the weekly early morning Bible study. I’m thankful for brothers like him who I get to live life with. He encourages me on the regular!

I’m Thankful!

My gratitude.

When I get a negative thought stuck in my head,

“‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah

Hallelujah”

It’s all I have!

Let me close with this thought: are you facing frustrations, questions, doubts…

Let me suggest my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

I believe salvation is as easy as ABC. Admit You’re A Sinner, Believe Jesus Is Lord, Call Upon His Name (Confess).

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9