“A true follower of Jesus never becomes accustomed to the sound of footsteps headed for hell.”
“I thank my God every time I remember you. I all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3)
Thanksgiving is a time in which our minds and hearts are led toward expressing thanks to God for His many blessings. I’m sure many of you have seen this passage from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians quoted this time of year. And, just to be transparent, previous pastors have likely referred to it as they expressed thanksgiving for the congregation God gave them to serve. Well, so much for being original. 😉
I want to thank God for Corky and her team who operate and rub shoulders with those they serve at the Free Store. We will be celebrating the Free Store’s 10th Anniversary on December 8 in worship. Corky will be sharing some startling information about those whose lives they have touched.
I thank God for Kidz First Daycare. Debbie served as the director for thirty-five years! That is almost unheard of in that industry! We are thankful for her leadership, her team, and the way they ministered and helped so many families across the years. Continue to pray for Debbie as she recovers with five broken ribs and healing of a punctured lung.
Thank You, God, for the River of Life Church and Pastor Roger Tsosie. They are pioneering through a wilderness in which they have reestablished a functional Christian community. There are many aspects of their work that we would find to be more than just inconvenient or hard. Yet, they are persisting and being light in the darkness.
Giving thanks for Neighborhood Dinner Church comes a little more often as I see its impact on a weekly basis. Watching people form relationships, reading a Jesus Story, praying, laughing, finding a place where they are known and heard, asking for prayer, and even, sometimes, praying for us is miracle each Monday night. Thank God for Beckie and her team who serve with great joy and compassion.
Thank God for the leadership at the Global Methodist Church and our West Plains Conference. Our bishop, Scott Jones, is stirring us to not just establish an institution but be a part of a movement of God to worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly with pray that we are part of God’s work in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I give thanks for the budding ministries that even now are just starting here at and through RiverStone Church. Our partnership with Apache can play a key role in bringing hope to so many. Then, there is “BOB”, the Band of Brothers, who meet on Tuesdays giving men an opportunity to share in Bible Study, Christian fellowship, and prayer. And, there are other ministry and mission opportunities being discerned.
I thank God for you! You are one of His special creations who has unique set of temperament, giftings, and abilities that Christ can call forward to special ministries.
All these and more give me reason to give thanks as we Love,Follow, and Serve Jesus ! May we all be mindful and give thanks for Jesus, His grace, and His work in and through us in the coming days.
Loving U-N-Jesus!
Pastor Brian
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