Thanksgiving 2014: Let’s Take It Up A Notch

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,

 for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

It has been said that gratitude is the greatest of all virtues and the parent of all other virtues. I think I agree with this statement. I do believe the attitude of gratitude plays a major role in God’s blessings in our lives. Even for the non-believing, I think the attitude of gratitude makes a real difference in every aspect of our lives. Read the verses from Thessalonians again. Look at the parts: joy, prayer, thanksgiving, God’s will and the power of the Holy Spirit. My point is that right in the middle of the wonderful mix is thanksgiving. The listing of joy is connected to thanksgiving. The mention of prayer is along with thanksgiving. Doing God’s will follows thanksgiving. Even finding the blessing of the Holy Spirit is connected to this powerful virtue of all virtues…being grateful.

This year, Thanksgiving 2014, I want you to enjoy what I am calling your BFFFF. Not best friends forever. Rather Black Friday, family, feast and for many…football! Enjoy and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. President George Washington did us a favor by proclaiming the first nation-wide day of Thanksgiving. He did it as a time for a grateful country to give thanks to Almighty God. Let’s continue the tradition. Let’s make this a day of Thanksgiving. How do we take a good tradition and make it better? How do we go from good to great!

See if you can wrap your brain around this idea. Gary Chapman wrote the book The Five Love Languages. See if you can find a creative way to say “thank you” using the five love languages. Say “thank you” to God and/or to those who have blessed your life. Here are the five love languages: words of affirmation; quality time; acts of service; receiving gifts; and physical touch. Why not? Thanksgiving 2014 let’s take it up a notch. If you care to, email or face book me and tell me your experience. I would love to hear what He did!

See you this Sunday for our annual Thanksgiving Worship Celebration. No 8:30 service. Sunday Connection Groups met at the regular time.

Pastor Tom