It’s a new day. MarcBackes.com is birthed. Still an infant, but born. So the question is - what in the world do I write about?

First, I need to take care of a couple housekeeping items. If you are a regular reader and you haven’t subscribed yet, start using Google reader and get the posts here delivered to you when they are written. It saves you a ton of time, and just makes things easier in your life.

The feed address that you will want to use for MarcBackes.com is:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/IqXi

I know that’s weird and I should use something else more memorable but I’m trying to make it easy on the folks that have already subscribed. Copy and paste that feed address into Google Reader and you’re set and ready to go.

Second, the blog is a work in progress and will take on a significantly different look over the coming weeks. The timing of the switch was necessitated by a few more things than just whether or not it was pretty and ready to go. I didn’t have that luxury. Okay, onto the post!

I was riding in the car with a friend the other day and we were having one of those conversations that can only happen on long road trips. We covered just about everything from world peace to hunger in Africa. And of course, we solved all the world’s problems.

But towards the end of trip, we got onto a topic that I wanted to share here because I think it’s a good way to start. I didn’t get here by myself. I needed a ton of help along the way. And as we talked about that over several miles, my mind began to think back through thirty-one years of life and remember all the people who had a part in getting me where I am today. Starting with Jesus (He’s kind of the most important), there have been literally hundreds of great men and women who have had a hand in shaping me and forming me into the man I am today.

And as my mind pondered that, I was overwhelmingly thankful for all that they had done for me. It’s a good thing to remember that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. We enjoy the victories we do because others sacrificed to shape, influence, and pour into us. One of the things I always want to keep at the forefront of my mind as I plant Eternity is that I didn’t do this on my own. And nothing in the future will be done on my own either. On my own, I can do NOTHING!

But through Jesus, and teams of wonderful friends, I believe we can go make an eternal difference in the lives of tens of thousands of people.

I am so excited about the coming days, but God was gracious to me this week to force me to look back and remember and meditate on all that He had done for me already. And in that meditation, you will find your faith and trust growing that God will continue to do it in the future.

Think about those who have come before you and take time this week to thank them in some way. They’re a big reason you are where you are right now!