The last verse of the
longest book of the Bible says, “Let every thing that hath breath praise the
LORD. Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 150:6). After the 150 wonderful chapters
that recount the goodness and mercy of God, the only thing we have left to do
is to praise the Lord! I hope that you will take a few moments after reading
this to praise the Lord. As I am typing, I am thinking of all that I have to
praise the Lord for today. I could never make an exhaustive list, but let me
share a few with you today.

To begin with, today marks
the birthday of our oldest daughter, Jamie. On this day a few years ago (the
age will be private to protect the innocent) at 12:30 pm, our first child came
into this world. Jamie changed our lives forever. She was an incredible gift
from God, but has become even more incredible with each passing day. We praise
the Lord for her, and for our three other children. Each is a blessing beyond
words for Terry and me. From these children, God has blessed us with ten
grandchildren who each have a special way of lighting up our day, every time we
have the chance to talk to them.

I must praise the Lord for
my wife of almost thirty-nine years. I still remember the evening I saw her
come through the back doors of the church we were married in. I remember thinking,
“I am the most blessed man on the face of the earth!” My feelings about
her have not diminished, but have grown with each passing day. God blessed me
with a godly woman who starts her day each day with an open Bible in front of
her and a prayer list that includes me … it doesn’t get any better than that!

I praise God for allowing
me to be born in America! I have been blessed to live in a nation that is
centered on the belief that we were created by God, and that we have freedom to
worship Him as we choose. I know there are some blemishes in this nation, but I
am thankful to be an American. I am thankful for not only Christian parents,
but godly parents. I was raised in a home where following the Bible was
applauded, and straying from it brought godly discipline. I am the man I am
today because of my parent’s commitment to the Word of God.

I must add, as I close,
that I am thankful for the day I realized that I was a sinner in need of a
Savior, and that Jesus had died and rose to pay off my sin debt! I will praise
Him forever and ever for the truth of this event. I praise God for taking an
unworthy sinner, and saving me. I praise Him that Heaven is as real as Hell,
and that He saved me from Hell! Praise God!