Month: October 2018

Give Thanks

/ Peace Lutheran

Give ThanksGrateful

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”     –Ephesians 5:20

 

We’re heading into the season of thankfulness. Unfortunately, our thankfulness is sometimes limited to a season.  Not that we are not thankful at all times, but sometimes we just need to slow down enough to take notice of all God has blessed us with.

Soon on Facebook we will see people post as part of a November Thankfulness Challenge.  It’s been a common challenge over the past few Novembers.  Each day people will post something in their life for which they are thankful.  Family and friends.  A warm home and a car that works.  It might be something small or simple, like peanut butter, and yet it enriches their life.

I think this is a good practice for us as we head toward Thanksgiving.  Throughout the Bible, God encourages us to be thankful.

  • “Give thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
  • “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34)
  • “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Cor. 1:4)
  • “Give thanks always…” (Ephesians 5:20)

And yet, our struggles and gripes often get placed before our thankfulness.  So I want to challenge you this November to take time to consider the ways God has been at work throughout your life and give thanks!  Thank those people who have blessed you and listened to you and cared for you.  And thank God for all that has been provided for you…your family, your talents, your life.

As I challenge you, I want to give thanks for some of the ways I have been especially blessed.

  • I thank God for Peace Lutheran Church and the energy and passion this congregation has to welcome, worship and walk with Christ.
  • I thank God for the blessing of my family and how they enrich my life and challenge me each and every day.
  • I thank God for leaders at Peace who have a vision for what God is doing in this place and are excited about following that vision.
  • I thank God for the many members who exemplify what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ by loving God and loving our neighbors.
  • I thank God for the love and support that has been shown to me and my family.
  • I especially thank you for the ways you have appreciated me as your pastor. THANK YOU!

For all of this and so much more, I give THANKS!

Pastor Dawn