The True Spirit of Thanksgiving
Soon it’ll be Thanksgiving and if you’re like most people,
just because the calendar says “be thankful” doesn’t mean you’re automatically
overcome with a thankful spirit. Christians can struggle to adopt an attitude
of gratitude. Some of us have had a tough year and working our way through a
list of blessings doesn’t come as easily as we’d like. Perhaps it’s a matter of
perspective.
Recently, I was talking with another believer and the
conversation turned to the life God saved us “from.” Yes, I mean “from” not
“to.” True, the life God saved us “to” provides Christians plenty for which to
thank God: salvation, answered prayer, family, friends, employment and a
veritable cornucopia of other blessings. But we weren’t thinking of those
things at the moment. We were thinking about the trajectory of our lives before
Christ intervened. We were both certain that Christ had saved us “from” certain
misery. Christ performed an intervention in our lives changing our desires,
habits, friends, entertainments and behaviors which were leading only to an
unhappy and self-destructive life. To say nothing of the eternal destiny of
those who practice such things.
It’s not popular for Christians to dwell on their checkered
past (let alone pastors). In fact, we all have a tendency for “selective amnesia”
when it comes to our past sins. But Scripture isn’t afraid to remind us of who
we were. In fact, at times I believe it to be wholly necessary.
The Apostle Paul never papered over his pre-conversion hatred
for Christians and quest for homemade righteousness. He called himself “the
worst of sinners” (1Tim 1:15), the “least of the apostles” and unworthy to be
so named because he “persecuted the church of God” (1Cor 15:9). All of us, Isaiah lamented, have gone astray,
each of us to our own way and have no other recourse than to beat our breast
and repeat with the despised tax collector, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”
(Luke 18:13).
Indeed, Jesus had to teach a proud Pharisee that the woman humbling
herself at his feet, sobbing and wiping them with her hair, knew the value of love
far better than he (Luke 7:36ff). She knew little of what she was saved “to,”
but she understood perfectly what she was saved “from.” And she was intensely
thankful.
If generating thankfulness seems too much like an annual
perfunctory exercise in list-making – spend some time thinking about what God
saved you “from.” Where would you be? What would you be doing? What kind of
person would you be? My guess is – if you understand yourself and biblical
anthropology well – you know exactly what God saved you “from.” And such
musings are invaluable in recovering the true spirit of Thanksgiving.
- Pastor Richard
Click link to meet your neighbors and collect shoe boxes! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4aa9ab2fa6fa7-operation2
"Thankful", boasts our doormat this
fall season. Yep, I bought it at Aldi. At first our family made fun
of it every time we entered the house. "We are.... 'thankful'!",
someone would chant, tongue in cheek, as we laughed our way into the
house. Laughing, primarily out of embarrassment that mom had picked
up a pretentious doormat. However, despite the laughter we have had at the
expense of that doormat, it has been a regular reminder to be thankful.
It is amazing how effective visual reminders can be!
However, for some time now, I have been praying that the Lord
would provide someone to take over. In this season of life, I feel that
I need to devote more time to other pressing needs. I am thrilled to share
with you that Jennifer Gardner has stepped up to fill that role! Jennifer
has a passion for this ministry and a plethora of new ideas. She has
taken it on without hesitation and with great enthusiasm. Please welcome
her in her new role and maybe consider how you can support her. I am so thankful
for her and for how the Lord has provided for the continuation of this
ministry!
OCC is a project of
Samaritan’s Purse that collects shoeboxes with items filled with school
supplies, hygiene items, and fun toys and delivers them to children in need
around the world. Gift-filled shoeboxes
demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way, and for many children, are their
first gift ever. FCC gets to play a big role in sharing
the Gospel with kids all over the world through this project and has been doing so for seven years! Stop by the lobby on November 3rd
or 10th and take a shoebox. Then return the packed box on November
17th with a $9 donation for shipping.
FCC’s community center is
one of over 5,000 drop-off locations across the country that will receive
shoeboxes from our neighbors during the Nation Collection Week- November 18-25,
2019. Our church needs many volunteers
to welcome families and collect over 2,000 boxes during this week. To volunteer for a 2-hour shift please use
the link below or connections card in your bulletin or see Elizabeth Jackson
or Kim Rodkey. Thank you and happy packing!
FCC's Financial Update:
General Fund 2019/2020
Fiscal Budget $ 339,200
Budgeted Income thru September
$ 169,600
Actual Income thru September $ 158,571
Actual Income minus Budgeted Income ($11,029)
A couple weeks ago, the youth froze in Cherry Crest
Farm’s 5 acre corn maze. Thankfully all made it out and were returned to their
parents! See the below picture for Cody leading his group astray. Be on
the lookout for more information about the Annual Youth Progressive Dinner as
that is our next event! If you are interesting in hosting a portion of the meal
(appetizers, main course, dessert and white elephant) please email youth@faithcc.info !
So, in the spirit of thankfulness this November, I
would like to share how the Lord has provided for the transition of the
management of the Network. As you may know, I have been managing the
food-bank since November, 2012. It has been truly amazing to see how the
Lord has worked to establish and maintain this ministry. So many of you have
contributed in various ways. Thank you!!
However, for some time now, I have been praying that the Lord
would provide someone to take over. In this season of life, I feel that
I need to devote more time to other pressing needs. I am thrilled to share
with you that Jennifer Gardner has stepped up to fill that role! Jennifer
has a passion for this ministry and a plethora of new ideas. She has
taken it on without hesitation and with great enthusiasm. Please welcome
her in her new role and maybe consider how you can support her. I am so thankful
for her and for how the Lord has provided for the continuation of this
ministry!
- Lynn Haseltine
Take some time to reflect on the people for whom you are most thankful, and don't forget to let them know!
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