A Time To Be Thankful

A Time To Be Thankful

As hard as it is to believe, we are a month from Thanksgiving. In writing/putting this article together, I came across the following article that I wanted to share: (the following article is from Dare 2 Share)

Every year it seems to me that Thanksgiving is increasingly just a thin slice of celebration sandwiched between the massive marketing machines of Halloween and Christmas. It's become a few days of respite for post school/work burnout and pre Christmahanakwanza preparation!

But it hasn't always been this way you know. There was a time when Thanksgiving was a sacred day set aside for so much more than watching the Detroit Lions lose and downing twice your body weight in turkey and stuffing. It was more of a time to remember, reflect, and rejoice in what happened in the Fall of 1621 when the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a meal as a sacrifice of praise for their survival. The story of that momentous day was passed on to each generation, and in 1777 George Washington made it an official holiday.

The Pilgrims came across the pond for many reasons, one of the most critical being the dream of being able to worship God in whatever way they felt was His calling on their lives. They endured the bitter winters and hostile conditions to fulfill a dream of finishing the race and remaining faithful to the end.

Their resolve was galvanized by their Christian faith. And no doubt in their hardship, they took courage from the following words of the Apostle Paul, penned shortly before his death:

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing (1 Timothy 4:5-9).

So what about you? You are charged with THE Cause of making disciples who make disciples - an endeavor that will outlast all holidays and every nation on earth.

As I read this article I began to think about The Cause of making disciples and what I have to be thankful for. Although one thing I have learned in life, I should celebrate thanksgiving each and every day because I have much to be thankful for each day. SO WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? The following is TEN things I have to be thankful for:

1)       Relationship with God and the salvation that He freely offered me.

2)       Family, both immediate and extended, including Sara and her family.

3)       Friends

4)       Opportunities God has given me ministry and that God allows me the opportunity to be involved in what He is doing.

5)       Opportunities God has given me to share the gospel with those who don’t know Him.

6)       An amazing church to serve at

7)       An amazing group of students that I get minister to and serve alongside

8)       Great health

9)       God’s amazing creation

10)   The Christian heritage that runs all through my family.