HEY EVERYONE, IT’S
ALMOST THANKSGIVING!
Hello Deer
Flat Family,
Maybe, like
me, you’ve heard this saying before: “When you see the lights going up and the
Christmas music playing in the stores, you know that Thanksgiving is just
around the corner.” It’s coming at us fast. So, I’m thinking about it and here’s a few of
my thoughts…
* Where has
the time gone?
* I love
Thanksgiving – friends, family, food, fun, football, Christmas lights, and the
beginning of Advent.
* There’s
nothing like a great turkey sandwich made from the leftovers on the softest
bread in the world, followed by a small piece of pumpkin pie with just a hint
of whipped cream.
* I hope
these people help us with the dishes before they walk out the door.
* How
thankful have I been throughout this year? I found myself answering, “I’m
really thankful the election season is over! REALLY THANKFUL!”
* I can get
my green bean casserole fix and move on.
Okay, enough
of my thoughts. What about yours? Have you been living with gratitude this
year? Let’s talk about that for a minute. A grateful heart is a true blessing.
It’s the ability to give God praise in the good times and the not so good
times. The Psalmist declared, "I will give thanks to the
Lord with my whole heart." Ps. 30:12
Gratitude means thankfulness,
counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging
everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if
everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much
you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the
abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological
research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the
practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient,
it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.
Gratitude is a powerful thing. In
fact, if you’re not careful with it, it will change your life. I’ll be talking
to you more about it this Sunday as we look at one of the most poignant stories
in the Gospel. The power of gratitude is amazing. That kind of an attitude gets
God’s attention. I can’t wait to share it with you this Sunday.
Speaking of grateful – we would be so thankful if we had some capable
VOLUNTEERS to help us in the Children’s area. We are in need of a couple of
teachers for elementary level boys. If you have an interest, please don’t
hesitate to see our Children’s Ministry Director, Julie Walker, or her
assistant Larissa Esparza. They would be so encouraged and you would be so
blessed.
We are headed into one of the
greatest seasons of the year – Thanksgiving and Advent. We have an outstanding
Musical Program being presented on December 4 and then a double good Children’s
Program being presented December 11, during Second Hour.
I hope you’ll join me in reaching
out and inviting friends, neighbors & family to an unforgettable Sunday at
Deer Flat!
Loving You and Loving Him,
Pastor D
PS - Deer Flat Youth will be going to Cuba in June of
2017. Are you called to go? Is your youth interested? Please come
to an informational meeting November 20th in the downstairs Youth
Room at the conclusion of the 2nd service. For more information,
call Heather Webster at 208-899-0586.
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