FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
Thanksgiving…What a Day!
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught…and overflowing with thankfulness…Colossians 2:6-7.
All week I’ve been surprised at the different ways God was preparing me for Thanksgiving. Through blogs, emails, newsletters, and conversations with men, God has been reminding me about the realities of the these times and how gratitude…intentionally “Giving Thanks” in these times is much needed and so important.
Scotty Smith said it well…For months we’ve lived in a culture of suspicion, criticism, and judgement. The Apostle Paul must have been dealing with similar issues as he wrote…Avoid quarreling, be gentle, show perfect courtesy toward all people…for we ourselves were once foolish…hated by others and hating one another. BUT when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior….Titus 3:1-4.
Just as Paul was encouraging Titus, as Forge men, we are encouraged and energized by this same Grace! We are able to live a different culture…a culture of Grace. And giving thanks to God is a key part of how we live this out with our family, friends, co-workers, and whoever God brings into our lives.
Jim Wilder, a NavPress author and expert in brain science talks about the effect of thanksgiving on our brains. He says taking time to intentionally spell out what you’re thankful for affects our brains and thereafter, our emotions? The chemicals released in our bodies because of thanksgiving help us to experience joyfulness despite what is going on in our lives. I am always amazed when science validates what God says is good for us. I am thankful for a day to pause to worship God by focusing on the things I’m thankful for but this week has reminded me that in these “2020” times, I need to be more intentional to offer up thanks even more.
As I watched the sunrise this morning, I said thank you God that just as this sunrise is calling out a new day, you are daily calling us to you! Thank you for forgiveness and the finished work of Jesus that fuels each day with Grace! Thank you for family with whom to EnJOY this day! There are so many other things I’ve thanked God for today but one of them is you guys, the men of Forge. The weekly rhythm of meeting with other men, being shaped by Gods’ Truth and then working it out in our lives as we talk around the table, WoW, what a powerful gift from God. Even as I give thanks, I pray we would continue to…Encourage one another and build one another up, just as we are doing…I Thessolonians 5:11.
I’ll end with these words from Chuck Swindoll…There is a better way to think and to live! Your God is still blessing you with the fragrance of forgiveness and the beauty of His bounty.
May we remember that…
Thanksgiving transcends our present trials…Thanksgiving is a day of magnificent memories…Thanksgiving is a day of renewed commitment to the things that matter.
May Thanksgiving arrive this year with a forceful and throbbing impact upon us.
May it leave each one of us gripped with gratitude…
And Energized by Grace!!!
Kelley
