Kendrick Vinar

I got back last night from a great ministry trip to Romania, Moldova, and Transnistria. 

I was reflecting on my way home how grateful I am for God’s blessings in my life. So after 9 days abroad, here are 9 things for which I am grateful:

1. God’s Grace - The theme for the conference we did in Romania was creating an environment of grace. It was so refreshing speaking on the deep and liberating truths of grace. Oh how we need grace. We have such a propensity to start in grace and turn to human effort. (Gal. 1:6-7 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Galatians 1:6-7 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F48001006-48001007" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F48001006-48001007" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><h3 id="p48001006.01-1">No Other Gospel</h3> <p id="p48001006.04-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v48001006-1">6&nbsp;</span>I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel&#8212; <span class="verse-num" id="v48001007-1">7&nbsp;</span>not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> </div>
, Gal. 3:3 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Galatians 3:3 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F48003003" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F48003003" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2> <div class="esv-text"><p id="p48003003.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v48003003-1">3&nbsp;</span>Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by<span class="footnote">&nbsp;<a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Or 'now ending with'">[1]</a></span> the flesh? (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p> </div> <div class="footnotes"> <h3>Footnotes</h3> <p><span class="footnote"><a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">3:3</span> Or <em>now ending with</em> </p> </div> </div>
). 

2. A wife that doesn’t snore. It’s good for men to share a room from time to time. We find out that we really do snore. God bless our wives.

3. Our government, police, hospitals, judicial system, infrastructure, and free markets. We have our faults, but God has blessed this nation. May we use His blessing to be a blessing.

4. That I don’t have to live on PowerBars and peanuts.

5. Amazing men who I am privileged to call friends (and I happen to work with)… okay it’s Jim Reklis and DeWayne Watson, my traveling companions. I am so grateful for the great team we have at Grace Church.

6. A healthy body.

7. Clear signs on our roads. Have you seen the Family Circus cartoon when the kid walks to school. Well… that was our trip across Romania. 

8. I don’t pass gas like the guy sitting next to me on the plane.

9. Family! First of all, my spiritual family at Grace Church. After visiting other churches, I return home and want to give everyone a hug. We are blessed by God. My natural family. Being away for a few days allows you to appreciate that which you can easily take for granted. I love my kids. Every day is a gift. I definitely have the best wife in the world. 

Are you grateful for some one (some people) in your life? Might be good to tell them today how much you really appreciate them.