A preThanksgiving thanksgiving.

I was on the Christus Victor website reading some of Greg Boyd's essays. One in particular about baptism. I am not going to give an in depth study about baptism...today :) Reading this essay reminded me of my walk with Christ and when I devoted my life to Him.

On December 17, 2003 I dedicated my life to Jesus Christ. I said yes to His invitation of love and forgiveness. I said yes to the Holy Spirit and let Him in my life to purify me and teach me. I said yes to being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

It was a long journey that led me there and led me here, but I took a little time to reflect on where I have been and where I am heading. I just wanted to give a thanks to everyone who affected this walk.

First off, I need to thank my parents for teaching me Christian morals and Christian ethics. For showing me love and grace. Teaching me obedience and teaching me how to see things as they really are. Their influence in my life can not be calculated or fathomed. They helped lay the foundation of where my faith is today. I cannot thank them enough.

I want to thank the 5 Parish Catholic church. The first 18 years of my life were strongly influenced by the teachings and beliefs of this church. Even though I didn't recognize it, I was being formed and shaped by this group of people. They also taught me devotion, obedience, hope, faith, love, forgiveness, and much more that cannot be written here for the list is far too long. It is through the Catholic church that I heard the gospel for the first time at the Steubenville North Conference. I heard Revelation 3:20 and did not forget it even to this day.

I want to thank the Covenant Church in Upsala for offering the youth group that changed my life forever. Through their ministry I was brought to my knees before the Lord to surrender to Him. They continued to feed the good work that was happening inside of me.

I want to thank Toni Ripplinger for being persistent with me. I learned so much through her. She invited me to the youth group that changed my life and continued to be a part of my life after which inspired so much growth in Christ.

I thank Rocky for making Christianity fun and exciting, while also challenging and thought provoking. The Lord used his life to grow mine.

I thank Wanda Erickson for giving me my first bible. It was a NIV study bible. That helped me really draw near to God.

I thank Eric Roering for being alongside me the whole time while I was developing and changing. Together we devoted ourselves to Jesus and together we grew. It was this companionship that helped me relate with someone to feel more comfortable during our growth. Because he was going to youth group, I finally decided to go to.

One last shout out is Campus Crusade for Christ. There are numerous people in this movement who played huge roles in my life and who still play major roles in my life that I have neither the time nor the space to name here. This ministry took my devotion to Christ and multiplied it ten fold and more.

There are probably many people I am forgetting, but because I included ministries I hit a lot of them :) There are many many things on my journey that influenced me which led me to where I am now. The greatest influence is God Himself. Without Him, I would never have found Him. He is the driving force in my life. He is the one I surrendered to. And He is the only I follow today and try and imitate. He met me where I was in my sin and unrighteousness and he forgave me and told me that He loves me. That changed everything and I could not stand here today without the strength He provides.

Thank you!

One Love,
Danger