The Upload
Posted on Nov 28, 2014 by
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I pray you had a blessed and thanks-filled Thanksgiving.
For many, Thanksgiving has become nothing more than a holiday to eat a lot of food and a day to gather with friends and family to watch football, but for me, I have discovered that it is so much more. It is truly a time to remember all the blessings I have in my life and to remember that I have a God that loves me so much that he was willing to walk this earth for me, and he was willing to die for me. Thanksgiving has truly become one of my favorite holidays, and no, not because of the big turkey dinner or the football games that I like to watch. Now, I love to eat, don’t get me wrong, but I love Thanksgiving because, for me, it usually is a day of rest and a day to remember how blessed I am.
I know Thanksgiving is a secular holiday, but I simply cannot give thanks on this day without remembering all God has done in my life and how thankful I am that I have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit that allows me to have faith in Christ, Jesus. I gave thanks this week for Jesus’ love, his grace, and the new life he gave all of us on that first Easter morning, and his gift of the Resurrection. As we gathered in my home for that big Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, I couldn’t help but give thanks for my children, their spouses, my grandchildren, and especially my incredible wife, Jill. A man could receive no greater gift than the gift of family.
I also gave thanks this week for the many friends and loved ones who have continued to bless me with their presence in my life, and for Salem and all who are in mission here to serve our Lord. And I gave thanks this week for those friends and loved ones who have died, for although they are gone, their witness continues to offer me strength and guidance in this life.
My prayer for you this Thanksgiving weekend is that you, too, have taken time to give thanks. As the song says, Our God is an awesome God, and in his love for us, he has provided for us everything we need. Today we celebrate and give thanks that in life, in death, and in life after death we belong to God! And so, in closing, here is a text from 1 Peter that helps me give thanks:
10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.1 Peter 5:10-11
Have a blessed week!
Shalom,
Pastor Dave