Give Thanks no matter what

   We so often think we have to be happy in order to be thankful. That everything is going just great, joy, fun, all our expectations are met. And when they are not, we don't feel very thankful at all.

   The message from God reminds us to be thankful in all things. There are some conditions that may not be pleasant or happy, but are preparing us for something better and we need to go through them to bet to the better and then we can give thanks. But we should be giving thanks in the beginning and in the middle of the challenge, so that our thanksgiving at the end will be truly from a grateful heart.

   I am once again challenged with an illness that will require surgery and recovery. In the midst of the why me, why now O God, God provided an answer to prayer with the right doctor and a fresh start for me through all of this. Having NIH involved again, has reduced my fear greatly and has given me reasons to give thanks even before the surgery.

   So I invite all of you to realize that thanksgiving is for far more than the fun and the good stuff. We have been blessed with God who has provided us with Jesus and forgiveness for our misdeeds. We have a God who has provided a land where we can worship and give thanks in freedom in ways that we see fit so to do. We have been provided a planet home, that has all the resources necessary to give us life. We have been provided with other people who can love and care for us. Even when we seem like porcupines to others, God instructs us on how to love one another.

  I love food, way too much food lately, but each taste is a reminder of what God has done. Why not find a way to show thanks by giving those places that make a difference with giving food, a chance to hear from you and get some support from you. That way we can spread the thanksgiving elsewhere as well.

  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.

Pastor Jeff