21 Things I am Thankful For

It’s Thanksgiving. It is time to give thanks. Here is my list.

1. To Jesus Christ for dying for my sins and welcoming me into His Kingdom by his grace and not by my efforts. He is there for me all the time, even when I don’t deserve it.

2. For entrepreneurs who seek my advice. This is flattering and humbling and gives me a great sense of fulfillment. Hearing your stories, seeing your vision, and experiencing your passion is an amazing gift.

3. For my wife, Kathy. She is my best friend, lover, confidant, encourager, and the finest personal development coach I have ever met. I am so grateful God chose to put us together. I can’t imagine life without Kathy.

4. For my children. Especially the love and respect they have for each other.

5. For my grandchildren. They are unconditional love in its purest form.

6. For Zack Prescott and Allen Hamilton for loving my daughters with all their hearts and taking such good care of them. You spoil them every day, and I am thankful for you. I thank God you are the dads of our grandchildren.

7. For my sister, Janet, who loves me and always encourages me. She doesn’t believe what I believe, but she believes in me. And that means much to me.

8. For the intercessory prayer team, iTeam, of High Tech Ministries. They pray for me every week. I am grateful these people lift me up in their prayers.

9. For Bill Leonard, the founder of High Tech Ministries. He has mentored me for the last twenty-five years on how to be a marketplace minister. I would not be who I am in our community or the man I am in Christ without Bill in my life.

10. For Mark Hughes and Phil Lee for being my friends and always inviting me to play golf, knowing I will say “no.” I love being loved by you guys and living life together.

11. For Richard Brock for still being my friend and always being there for me. We met in 1976, and little did I know he would change the course of my life. I am so grateful to Richard for seeing the promise of an entrepreneur and leader long before I even knew the word “startup.”

12. For Kent Antley, Kent Bridges, Adam Fuller, and Frank Waterson for their continued excellent service to my family and me. These men are the professionals’ professional and all friends for life.

13. For Greg Kemp, Joe Orosz, Tyce Miller, Rick and Karen Cope, David Dunn-Rankin, Mitch Copman, Johnson Cook, Tim Sheehan, Jamie Hamilton, and Paul Iaffaladano for allowing me to be a part of their life's work and vision to change the world.

14. For Steve Walden, Alan Taetle, Ross Mason, John Yates, David Cummings, Blake Patton, Jennifer Bonnet, Tino Mantella, Matt Stevens, Nelson Chu, Glenn Bachman, Karen and Rick Cope, K. P. Reddy, Palaniswamy Rajan, and many, many others. These men and women change communities by giving tirelessly of their time, talent, and treasure. They have shaped our Atlanta technology community into a great place to live and work.

15. For Bob Lasher, Tom DiMarco, Deb Carmody, Dave Caro, Robert Dumas, Mike Sanders, David Clapp, and Randy Townsend for building great companies that realized wonderful exits. The exit was the bonus. The joy and friendship happened on the journey. I am eternally grateful.

16. For Price Harding, Bruce Cook, and Jim Porter for always being willing to share your godly wisdom and encouragement. You have kept me “between the lines” of life.

17. For David Nour as my Rabbi of fun. I know I say “no” many, many more times than I say “yes,” but I am always grateful you are there and care for me.

18. For Gregg Hinthorn, my publisher and confidant. He has kept me writing long after I would have given up on myself. He also blesses our community because he takes what I write and makes it useful to you, my readers and friends.

19. For Bruce Wilkinson and Ron Blue, who showed me the blessings of generous giving.

20. For the young Indian entrepreneur who told me, “I was unsettled for the entire day after meeting with you and speaking about faith.”

21. Finally, I am thankful for you, my dear reader. Thank you for the time you spend reading and passing on these articles. I am grateful we are building lives, companies, and communities together with God’s help.

Now make your list.