What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? How about listing some items?
When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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- Ray McDonald
- I am willing to do what no one else is doing, that I might reach those no one is reaching for Jesus.
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6 comments:
That my husband is alive and can walk.
Dana Newby
Dione says...
Amen to that Dana! I would say our second child on the way and my wife Mal and Jonathan. They bring me so much joy.
I'm thankful that she didn't give up on me when everyone else did.
I am thankful for:
1. God's creation (of which I'm a part!)
2. The Word of God (both written and the living Word of God)
3. salvation
4. God's everyday grace and mercies
4. family and friends
5. music
6. hand drums (especially the igbah udu drum!)
7. people who bring music into my life (e.g. U2, Eric Peters, Andrew Peterson, The Proclaimers, Peter Gabriel, Caedmon's Call, Derek Webb, Ray Davies and brother Dave, Sandra McCracken, Christopher Williams, countless Czech composers, and many others--pray for them, for not all know Jesus at this time)
8. two good jobs
9. the opportunity to minister to countless folks in various ways
10. the support of fellow artists
11. two churches that I can call home
12. my brethren, including wonderfully supportive pastors
13. my "prayer warriors"
14. the patience and support of my wife (living with an artist ain't easy)
15. the patience of my Lord, who loves me despite myself
16. good food
17. the ocean and the beach
18. seashells
19. mountains and caves/caverns
20. clouds and the pictures you can see in them
21. sunrises and sunsets
I'm thankful for...
1. Jesus
2. Carolyn
3. My girls
4. My extended family
5. Mt. Oak & Friends
Dear Pastor Ray, Pastor Charlie and my Brothers and Sisters at Mt. Oak:
I am writing to try to put into words how wonderful it was to be a part of this Thanksgiving Outreach. Tom and I really didn't know what to expect since we had never been a part of anything like this before. And to be completely honest I went reluctantly, Tom really felt convicted to help; I did not! We donated money to feed a family the previous Sunday and we purchased 2 turkeys and I really believed that was enough. On Saturday I even drove to church separately from Tom because I had convinced him if they had enough help I was going to craft fair. Once I got there I caught the spirit and I am so thankful I went. Pastor Ray spoke of being a fat Christian and to my dismay I guess I was one of them. Sure both Tom and I help out at church wherever needed. We have done bread baking for the Hooley for the Ireland Trip (actually I did the volunteering, Tom did the baking), Tom helped the Parsonage renovation, we ran a shop for Galilee by the Sea, Tom was Goliath at the Heroes Unmasked and I helped and somehow I thought I was doing outreach. Wow, was I wrong!!
Tom and I were assigned to Pastor Bell's church. Upon arrival we were greeted with warm smiles and hugs. They were so happy to see us, especially their old friends Alvin and Kurt. We were introduced to everyone and then shown around their worship center. Talk about humbled. As we have been working so hard at Mt. Oak to do renovations to the Parsonage and creating the Upper Room they have done some renovations as well. They erected a wall to have a make shift office for Pastor Bell and moved their pulpit to the other end of the building and laid carpet squares. They were so proud to show us the progress they had made since last year. Talk about a wakeup call folks. We have a beautiful Church, a great worship center, soon the amazing Upper Room, and the Church offices are just gorgeous. We are blessed beyond what you can imagine. When we went out into the streets to deliver the food, people where thanking us and asking God to bless us. They were so thankful for us and our help. They have so little. I urge all of you to go "on a diet"! Get out of being a "fat Christian" and get into an outreach. I challenge us as a church to do more outreach. I am sure with Christmas right around the corner they could use more food and presents to give the kids growing up in that area. This has completely changed my focus in life. Yesterday Pastor Ray urged us to keep our eye on Jesus and off of the world. I urge us to focus our eyes as Jesus would have. I recall stories of Jesus helping the needy, the sick, the widowed and the hungry. I would hope we would learn to look to others in need the way He did. Be blessed and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Humbled and Thankful
Pam Lowry
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