10 More Things I’m Thankful For (That I Can’t Admit at Church)
- 11.25.09
- Thankfulness
- 13 Comments
I have so much to be thankful for, and tonight, I’ll lead my congregation in a sweet time of sharing. Our annual Thanksgiving Eve service is a highlight of our church year as people come prepared to share what they are most thankful to the Lord for. There are some things, however, that I’m thankful for that I will not be mentioning at church tonight. They’re things that would not be appropriate to mention during the service, but they are things that I’m truly grateful for. Last Thanksgiving, I posted a blog that listed ten things I’m thankful for that I can’t mention in church. Here is my 2009 installment.
My Pool
What a blessing my pool has been for my family and many of our friends. Is it a pain in the butt to maintain? Yes. Is it outrageously expensive to upkeep? Yes. But the special times we’ve spent around it with family and friends are worth it all.
Three Buck Chuck
Wine for $3 a bottle. Cheap but tasty wine found at Trader Joe’s (a specialty grocery store). Considering that a bottle of wine can be quite expensive, this is perfect for my cheap taste.
My Blackberry
Where would I be without it? Lost, backward, and behind. Nothing like a little hand-held device that does just about everything. I know some would have me believe that I need an iPhone instead, but I’m perfectly happy with my Blackberry.
Amazon.com
I love books. I love the way they smell, and I love the way they feel. With Amazon.com, the pure bliss of a new book is only a few clicks and a few days away.
Golden Pride
If you’re not from Albuquerque, then you’ve probably never heard of this restaurant. But for those of you who live here, you know why this made my top ten list. Breakfast burritos to die for and cinnamon rolls straight from heaven.
My Power Blower
I do believe that this is the best gift I’ve ever received. My parents bought it for me upon the purchase of my Ohio home that sits on 2 acres of land and is full of mature trees. Since I’ve owned this wonderful invention, my fear of fall has subsided. I simply fire up the beast and blow the leaves into submission.
Peanut Butter
What does peanut butter NOT go with? Not only does it bring a smile to my face and satisfaction to my stomach, but even my dogs love the stuff. I put it inside of their chew toys, and they spend all day trying to get at the peanut butter inside. Anything that tastes this good AND keeps my dogs out of trouble automatically makes the list!
The NFL Ticket
New Mexico is sports hell. Other than the occasional good season by the New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team, there’s nothing to cheer for here. During the football season, all we get on the local TV channels are Cowboys and Broncos games. Yuk! God bless the man that came up with the idea of The NFL Ticket on DirectTV. For a small fee each month, I get to watch my beloved Steelers every game and am no longer subject to the misery of Dallas Cowboy football.
My Pipe
It’s been proven (at least in one very biased study I recently read) that pipe smokers live three years longer than non-pipe smokers. Reason: pipe smokers are more laid back. Pipe smoking is one way I better live out Philippians 4:6. In a stress-filled world, the Word of God – and a good smoke – helps me manage the stress.
Bacon
I could sing of my love for bacon. Instead, though, I’ll allow one of my favorite comedians, Jim Gaffigan, tell you why bacon is someting we all should be thankful for.
Amen! I agree with at least half of these! Thankfulness in any form is great! !
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Mike…. Great list (for the most part)… We won’t re-hash the whole Dallas Cowboys Rule vs. the pittsburgh stealers drool debate, however there are some sport team worth rooting for…. The Isotopes (especially on .50 cent hot dog night), the UNM Men’s soccer team (the womens team still is in the Old Testament… an eye for an eye), and the Albuquerque Thunderbirds our NBA D-League team (although i would rather watch paint dry than watch pro basketball, but that’s just me.) Okay I’m done, will miss being at the service tonight, but our best to everyone.
Those are some good ones Mike! Have a great Thanksgiving!
If I were the Cowboys I would be afraid everybody knows that bad teams like the Raiders can upset I have seen alot of crazy football stuff happen ANyway I agree with Mike I am thankful for a little of things including my family, and my new bed frame my buddy built me it is gorgeous I paid about 500 Dollars for lumber and in this message are pictures of it he also made me even more thankful that I have him as a friend with the message inscribed a gift for a true friend who has always been like a brother to me. November 19, 2009 Nate Alton Nate is a christian man and a great friend of mine. I love him like a brother here is the pictures I am also thankful for my job and you as well Mike Potter your sermons I listen online while i play xbox you say good things in them and i appreciate you as well and the church body where even though I work most sundays I am off this Sunday so I will see you their here are the pictures. In a minute I will reflect on this through a broken relationship and 3 months of hell to a car wreck financial troubles and debt I pray and hope 2010 is better but than again I felt during the time and struggles at Work I feel I am being strengthened and God has built in me a perserverence and a strength to never never quit living life and doing the best I can so here is all I can say I thank God for everything and the struggles I have been through it has made me stronger than ever. I feel a sense of satisfaction and relief at what God has proven to me.
Great list! and I know my husband would agree about the pipe. Happy Thanksgiving.
Mike, loved your list! Bacon is soooo underrated. I heartily agree with Emeril, “it’s a pork fat thing”!
A pastor who smokes a pipe, says “sports hell”, and eats bacon? I’ll bet the pastor of that dog church doesn’t do any of those evil things.
Ahh, blackberry, wine and bacon. You’re a man after my heart!
My Papa Tom used to eat peanut butter on his hamburgers, $3 chuck is good if it’s from TJ’s – I love their wine selection!
I used to be thankful for Golden Pride…
Until this summer I was obsessed with eating it constantly. One day I found a hairball in my hashbrowns ;( No fun now…
nothing like sitting by the pool with a glass of wine eating a peanut butter sandwich while reading a good book. if you don’t like it put it in your pipe and smoke it.
Mike-
HA! I LOVED this. Although you and I don’t know each other (thanks for finding me on Twitter), it looks like we’d be tight friends. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. And…you suck for having 3 Buck Chuck. We don’t have that in Nashville. So, we have to settle for $7.00 Chianti from Macaroni Grill!
Peace, bro
Oh…and I’d have to add that one of the things I’m most thankful for is the Movie, “Elf”. What would the holidays be without it? Buddy the Elf…what’s your favorite color?