We’re thinking about being thankful! …And a few other things.

 

Giving thanks is valuable

 

Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving and making the dressing

 

I was thinking about blessings

I WAS THINKING, TODAY, about a few things for which I am grateful. This is not an exhaustive list–and it is not presented in order of importance–it is just a list of tremendous blessings that came to mind:

God’s unfailing love;

Salvation and eternal life;

A beautiful, patient, loving wife;

A beautiful family in whom my heart delights;

Wonderful, joyful, life-giving relationships/friendships God has brought into my life;

The church, in the universal sense;

The local church in Oak Lawn, which is gracious, faithful, generous, kind and loving;

Loving Christian parents;

God’s faithful provision. Sometimes, as I look back, His provision has seemed to be miraculous;

The authentic joy God brings to my heart;

The reality of prayer;

God’s much-needed forgiveness and grace;

A country to live in which offers tremendous freedom and opportunity;

Good health (for the most part);

Gifts and abilities (including tremendous ninja skills);

A sense of humor (hey…I  frequently amuse myself even if others don't find my antics to be very funny);

Pets that bring incredible fun, happiness and companionship to my life;

The gift of music; and

The fact that I haven’t lost my latest drone yet. (It’s been 3 months. That’s a record for me.)

Again, this is not a complete list. It simply details some things that came to my mind while I was walking today. As these thoughts were occurring I experienced a deep—almost emotional—sense of gratitude. I am a blessed man…blessed beyond what I deserve. 

I give thanks to the Lord, the Giver of all good things.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our loved ones, far and wide!

 

Choose to be thankful!

Every single person reading this post has some valid complaints that could be expressed about life.

Every single person reading this post also has some valid reasons to be thankful.

It will be helpful and it will increase our joy if we will focus our attention on those reasons for gratitude. It will be to our advantage, believe it or not, if we will genuinely express thanks.

I encourage all of us, myself included, to choose to be thankful.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

Let's open our eyes to the blessings

 

Happy Thanksgiving 2019!

Holiday stress? What holiday stress?

E-Flash From Dan - Thanksgiving Eve, 11/23/16

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Are you experiencing genuine gratitude for the many blessings of life? I hope you are able to say a resounding “yes” in response to that question.

I can think of a great way to celebrate our joy and thankfulness. Yep, you guessed it: Join us at the Thanksgiving Eve service tonight, Wednesday, November 23^rd, at 7pm. The worship team will be leading us in a wonderful time of Thanksgiving praise; we will be celebrating Communion together; and I have a message which I believe will remind us and challenge us to be grateful to the Lord Jesus for His goodness.

Hope you can make it. You will be blessed!

Love and blessings,

Dan

First Church of God

4600 W. 111^th Street

Oak Lawn, IL

Being Humble And Being Thankful

Real thankfulness requires a measure of humility because thankfulness involves the realization that we are receiving goodness from a source outside of ourselves. After all, if we are responsible for all the goodness in our lives thankfulness is no longer necessary. In this case, the only attitude necessary is a sense of amazement at ourselves for how incredible we are. (I’ve tried being amazed at myself a number of times and it never works very well. I find it disappointing.)

Are we willing to humble ourselves and recognize the wonderful blessings in our lives we did not create?

This humility will lead to thankfulness which will bring yet another blessing: Joy.

I humbly wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, lots of joy and God’s continued blessings!

With much love,

Dan

Gratitude To The One From Whom All Blessings Flow

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” James 1:17.  Are you able to look around and see many ways in which your life is blessed?  I sure can.  In fact, I just watched about 10 minutes of television news coverage and I was reminded a half dozen times how truly fortunate I am.  I thank God.  I hope you have a wonderful, joyful, Happy Thanksgiving, giving genuine gratitude to the One from who all blessings flow!

Much To Be Thankful For

True gratitude is a mark of spiritual maturity. Spiritually immature people tend to see very little to be thankful about. They’re often busy being grumpy. On the other hand, the spiritually mature, look around and see MUCH to be thankful about, even when the circumstances of life are extremely difficult. Do you see “little” or “much”? Peace, joy, love, and Happy Thanksgiving to you!