Pastor's Thought (Nov 22)

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The Holidays are already here. This is the month where we
center our hearts and minds on being thankful. And we have much
to be thankful for. We celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day.
We are thankful for those who fought and still fight, some giving their all
for us to have freedom. This is not to be taken lightly for many countries
around the world do not have freedom to worship God openly.

We are thankful on Thanksgiving Day for the abundant blessings we have
been given by God in our lives. We are thankful for our jobs, food on our
tables, health, and on and on. We are a nation that is truly blessed despite
all that is not right in our country. For we are able to pray and seek God
to right the wrongs we see.

Going a little deeper, are we thankful for the trials in our lives that help us to
grow in the Lord. With a daughter battling cancer and two brothers battling
cancer I have been reminded to be thankful for every single day I have with
my family. The verses in Thessalonians tell us to be cheerful no matter what.
Really, even when we are sad. Thank God no matter what happens. Really,
even though I have lost my job. You don’t mean God, thank you even when
my brothers and daughter have cancer.

The Word of God is clear in that this is the way God wants us to live if we
say we belong to Jesus. Are you thankful this November? It seems hard for
those of us who are struggling.

Philippians 4:6-7 in the Message Bible says “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of
worrying pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,
letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s
wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you
down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center
of your life.”

Let us be thankful in all things and if you know someone who is alone invite
them to come and celebrate Thanksgiving with you.

Blessings and Love,
Pastor Stephanie and Jack

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