Thanksgiving

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever." - Psalm 118:1

The spirit of thankfulness, as Pastor Tom Mason of Grace Church in Vienna says, is deeply biblical.  Abel's offerings to David's Psalms demonstrate how we as His creations should show thankfulness to God for all He has given us.  We can be so ungrateful towards God especially when we look at our circumstances, trials, failures, and frustrations.  When our focus is solely on ourselves, His provision seems so removed from the daily grind.  It's when we lose ourselves, we gain heavenly eyesight to see how He orchestrates our entire existence especially our dependence on Him alone.  So in this week of grateful thanks, allow me to mention some of the things He has done.

• Salvation - the greatest gift anyone can receive
• His Spirit - for guidance, comfort, and more.
• His Plan - not completely reveled which keeps us dependant
• Debt - freedom - owing only Him is the only way to live!
• A new place to live - on the mission field in Europe, serving Him daily with teens and adults from all over the globe
• Places to serve - ICSV and Grace Church, Vienna
• Weight reduction - changes in diet, more exercise by walking everywhere = 2 dress sizes less for Channon and really, baggy clothes for me!
• Our kids - even though transitioning continues to be tough, they are doing better than we expected and we can see God's mercy and power through each of them.

"How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people." - Psalm 116:12-14

This week of Thanksgiving, I pray that you refocus your eyes on Him so that He can show you how He is working in you and help you to be more thankful for all He is and provides for you!