From Pastor Bill

Since Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner, why not take just a few minutes to think about what you have to be thankful for? 

If you woke up this morning and were able to hear the birds sing, use your vocal cords to utter human sounds, walk to the breakfast table on two good legs, and read the newspaper with two good eyes, then be grateful.  A lot of people couldn’t! 

How’s your wallet/pocketbook?  Thin?  Well, most of the world is a lot poorer.  No pensions.  No welfare.  No food stamps.  No social security.  No government safety nets whatsoever.  In fact, one-third of the people in our world will go to bed hungry tonight!

How’s your health?  No so good?  Well, thank God you’ve lived this long, because a lot of people haven’t. 

Are you lonely?  Did you know that the way to have a friend is to be one?  So, if nobody calls you, then call someone yourself.  Go out of your way to do something nice for others.  It’s a cure for the blues! 

What about our country?  It certainly is no rose garden.  Many of our problems are due to our own self-destructive, immoral decisions, and the challenges facing our country today are daunting.  But our country is not a patch of weeds either.  Freedom still rings in America.  You can still worship at the church of your choice, cast a secret ballot, and even criticize your government without fearing a knock on your door at midnight.  And if you want to live under a different system, you are free to go, as there are no walls or fences to keep you here! 

I have just listed five important factors for which to be thankful during this important time of the year.  Perhaps you can think of many others more tailored to your situation as we focus on developing an attitude of gratitude during this Thanksgiving Season.

Devotedly your pastor, 

Bill Blanchard