Celebrating A Time of Thanksgiving

Most of us can all ready taste the Thanksgiving feast that will be spread across our American tables this Thursday. In fact some people have already began to plan out the menu - on what day they will cook this or that, the best place to pick up this item, what china set they will use this year, and the list goes on and on.

But how much time will be spent in true thanksgiving unto God who has made all of this possible? Will we speed through grace because our mouth is watering from the smell of the dressing and greens? Will we be able to forgo, just for one day, spending our prayer time "asking God for" and decide that today I want to "thank God for"?

I remember my days in private school. I loved the last day of school before the Thanksgiving holiday. Of course we would have our little Thanksgiving party, which meant no class work for the day. But there was something special about hearing stories about the Pilgrims. Being a very mentally visual kid, I would allow my mind to paint a moving picture of what life must have been like for both the Native Americans and the Pilgrims as the later struggled to survive in their new home and the former tried to learn how to live with these new inhabitants and all of their "baggage".

In all of the death, cold, hunger, diseases, and only God know what else, they all came together for a time to celebrate God's provision in their lives. In all of the hardship, they found a way to be THANKFUL.

This week as we prepare for Thanksgiving Day, let us remember it's not what we have or don't have, it's about God's goodness throughout our lives. For some, Thanksgiving is about getting their grub on and Black Friday shopping. But as believers, it should be about celebrating God's mercy and grace over the course of another year.

So if you open your eyes on Thursday, November 24, make being Thankful your top priority of the day.

Have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving week!


Pastor Mel 

Whatever it takes

We are just a few days away from the beginning of a new holiday season. I'm sure many people have already began to make mental preparations for next Thursday's Thanksgiving dinner. And some may already be making plans for Black Friday.

Speaking of Black Friday, several retailers have made some major changes so that they can ensure to dig deep into the pockets of the consumer. If you haven't heard the big news, here it is - Black Friday this year begins at midnight for most of our favorite stores. That's right, you don't have to wake up at 3am to stand at the end of the line. You get to set up your spot at 3pm after dinner with your portable tv and watch the football game while waiting for the doors to open at the strike of midnight.

It's amazing how the retailers will do whatever it takes to get our money! It's doubly amazing how we get excited about giving them our money...money that could probably be used for better purposes. WHATEVER IT TAKES!


What about the church? Are we willing to do whatever it takes to reach souls for the Kingdom of God? Will we find joy in the inconvenience in order to snatch souls out of the flames of hell? I have to wonder how many shoppers will see waiting in line for 6 or more hours to buy a toy as inconvenient? A toy that will soon be forgotten about hours after the excitement on Christmas day.

As we enter the Thanksgiving/Christmas season, let's remember the true reasons of our celebration. Let us make it our joy to share with others the Greatest Story ever told. Let us do our part in changing lives for the Kingdom.

Mel - Assistant Pastor