The Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the Thessalonians “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” This would say to me that every day we should rejoice and be thankful. But if I’m honest, I don’t always remember. So I’m grateful for days like Thanksgiving where we are given that extra reminder to count our blessings and give thanks for it all. Thanksgiving is a time to pause and reflect on all that God has done in our lives and all the ways he has blessed us
As I have done that very thing over the past few days, I am more and more cognizant of the many, many blessings God has poured into my life. So I thought I would share a few with you. First, after nearly 2 years of disruption, I am thankful that the world seems to be returning to some degree of normalcy. I don’t think the world will ever be quite the same as it was prior to Covid. But we have greatly gotten past the isolation, and begun to see the restoration of in person relationships. Praise God!
I am thankful for our Rock Church family and all the ways God is working through us to accomplish His will and advance His mission. Every week I am seeing extraordinary ways that we are fulfilling our Rock Church mission to make disciples who love God, love others and do good. Our children’s ministries are growing. Mastering Motherhood has grown dramatically this fall. This past Sunday I had the privilege of being a part of the Rooted celebration dinner. We’ve had great participation in Rooted this fall and we are seeing lives transformed in so many ways. Choir has relaunched. We are working hard to reach young people through our youth ministry. Lifegroups are multiplying continuously. Men’s Ministry and Women’s Ministry are continuing to grow and expand. I am thankful to be a part of such an amazing church.
I am also thanking God today for my family! As I think all of you know, I was blessed to meet and fall in love with an amazing, kind, beautiful, godly woman named Julie. So, this year, along with being thankful for my sons Chris and Sam, my Mom, my brother Bill and his family, I am thanking God for the gift of my newly expanded family! Julie, I am grateful beyond words that God has placed you in my life. And I thank God for Joshua, Mathew, Clifton and Lilly.
And most of all, I am thankful for Jesus. More and more, my hearts desire is simply to serve him and lift him up. I am thankful to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. And I am thankful that I can be a small part of the work of his Kingdom. I believe that as Christ followers, we should be the most thankful people in the world, on Thanksgiving day and every other day of our lives.
Love you all,
Pastor Steve