November 21, 2022

Thanks Giving

Thanks Giving

Thanks Giving

November 21, 2022
November 21, 2022

Thanks Giving

Thanks Giving

How can I express my gratitude? By speaking and writing about the wondrous things God has done in history, in the lives of others, and in my life.

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My cup overflows. I lack nothing (Psalm 23).

I have the best job in the world; I am beyond thankful.

I’ve been given the joy of helping people understand our great God — how God loves them, prepares a place for them, and gives them incredible purpose for their work. That joy is matched by the satisfaction of witnessing people discover their purpose and putting it to use — transforming their lives and organizations.

This dream job is impossible without God and without the support of so many people.

How can I express my gratitude? By speaking and writing about the wondrous things God has done in history, in the lives of others, and in my life (Psalm 105:5).

Thankful For Preparation

I thank God for how He prepared me for the work I am doing now. God did it through lessons of struggle, failure, success, and through so many amazing people — bosses, teammates, and customers.

I thank God for Richard Simmons and all those at The Center Birmingham who faithfully followed the path God paved for them over 20 years ago. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Thankful For Partnership

I thank God for all the people who make The Center – Memphis possible. I am grateful for all those who give time and resources because they believe in our mission.

I thank God for the Advisors He has provided. Those who serve formally and informally. Experienced leaders who graciously advise the plans of The Center and meet with individuals around our great city who seek counsel on a wide range of subjects regarding their work. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22

I thank God for all the people who give financially to The Center. I am grateful for those who give because they believe in the work we are doing — some giving to pay it forward so others can benefit, others giving in gratitude for what they received. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:3-6

Thankful For Participation

I thank God for all those who participate in the services The Center offers. Those who want to know more about what God’s word has to say about their work, those who want advice, those who seek new work, and those who need resources and connections to create new work. It is incredibly encouraging to serve people who want to discuss their businesses, careers, and be open to what God is doing in their work. “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” – Romans 1:11-12

I thank God for Carter Snodgrass who serves faithfully and intelligently to make our work more useful to others. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23

Thankful For Proclamation

I thank God for our incredible guest speakers who have proclaimed God's word and wisely explained how it makes a difference in everyday life and work. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Thankful For The Perfect Family

I thank God for an amazing wife and four children who sacrifice, support, and encourage me everyday to keep doing the work that God has given me to do. Of course, none of us are perfect, but God has put us together, in His perfection, to shape and compliment each other until we meet Him face to face. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” – Ephesians 1:4-6

Thankful For The Promise

I thank God for His promise about the future — that although we all struggle in life and work today, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection provide a clear promise of the Victory that is assured. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9-11

I thank God for His provision that leaves us all in a place to allow our life and work to be a response to His love and mercy. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

Howard Graham
Howard Graham
Executive Director

My cup overflows. I lack nothing (Psalm 23).

I have the best job in the world; I am beyond thankful.

I’ve been given the joy of helping people understand our great God — how God loves them, prepares a place for them, and gives them incredible purpose for their work. That joy is matched by the satisfaction of witnessing people discover their purpose and putting it to use — transforming their lives and organizations.

This dream job is impossible without God and without the support of so many people.

How can I express my gratitude? By speaking and writing about the wondrous things God has done in history, in the lives of others, and in my life (Psalm 105:5).

Thankful For Preparation

I thank God for how He prepared me for the work I am doing now. God did it through lessons of struggle, failure, success, and through so many amazing people — bosses, teammates, and customers.

I thank God for Richard Simmons and all those at The Center Birmingham who faithfully followed the path God paved for them over 20 years ago. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Thankful For Partnership

I thank God for all the people who make The Center – Memphis possible. I am grateful for all those who give time and resources because they believe in our mission.

I thank God for the Advisors He has provided. Those who serve formally and informally. Experienced leaders who graciously advise the plans of The Center and meet with individuals around our great city who seek counsel on a wide range of subjects regarding their work. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22

I thank God for all the people who give financially to The Center. I am grateful for those who give because they believe in the work we are doing — some giving to pay it forward so others can benefit, others giving in gratitude for what they received. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:3-6

Thankful For Participation

I thank God for all those who participate in the services The Center offers. Those who want to know more about what God’s word has to say about their work, those who want advice, those who seek new work, and those who need resources and connections to create new work. It is incredibly encouraging to serve people who want to discuss their businesses, careers, and be open to what God is doing in their work. “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong — that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” – Romans 1:11-12

I thank God for Carter Snodgrass who serves faithfully and intelligently to make our work more useful to others. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23

Thankful For Proclamation

I thank God for our incredible guest speakers who have proclaimed God's word and wisely explained how it makes a difference in everyday life and work. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Thankful For The Perfect Family

I thank God for an amazing wife and four children who sacrifice, support, and encourage me everyday to keep doing the work that God has given me to do. Of course, none of us are perfect, but God has put us together, in His perfection, to shape and compliment each other until we meet Him face to face. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” – Ephesians 1:4-6

Thankful For The Promise

I thank God for His promise about the future — that although we all struggle in life and work today, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection provide a clear promise of the Victory that is assured. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9-11

I thank God for His provision that leaves us all in a place to allow our life and work to be a response to His love and mercy. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

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