Remembering Our Origins

Yesterday as Debbie and I helped host the ECMA Thanksgiving Day Feast where we fed about 800 folks, I got to talking with a tableful of FHSU International students from Nigeria who were experiencing their very first Thanksgiving.

I shared with them the origins of Thanksgiving when persecuted Christians left their homelands and became refugees in a foreign land.  William Bradford the governor of their new community of Plymouth proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving in spite of having lost ½ of their brothers and sisters the year before to the harsh New England winter. These Pilgrims celebrated an abundant harvest that they had reaped with the aid of the Native people who welcomed them and taught them to plant and hunt the local game. The Nigerians were fascinated with the history of tour National holiday.   

I hope you never forget Thanksgiving’s beginnings. I also hope you never forget how blessed we are and how grateful we should be.  It is good and fitting that as Christians to remember that the holiday is not Thanks-getting,  Its Thanks-giving.

Remember to WHOM we are to give thanks. Remember WHAT we are thankful for. When we take for granted what God has done for us, we can become calloused, filled with pride and therefore outside of the will of God. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess. 5:1

You see, it’s when we realize how much we have in the Lord, that we will truly begin to be thankful, and when you are thankful, your heart will abound with love for the Lord that has so graciously given all to you.

For a Christian, every day ought to be a day of thanksgiving.  
Today the day after Thanksgiving be sure to give thanks TO God FOR ALL He has given you.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

THIS SUNDAY 5th Sunday. Bring a non perishable food item for C3’s food pantry.  If you want to be baptized or have your child dedicated e-mail me kyle@celebratejesus.org

If you have not yet turned in your Forward Faith 3 year commitment card you may do so THIS SUNDAY in the lobby at C3.

Bring in your wrapped shoeboxes THIS SUNDAY or next.

C3LA, Celebration's Leadership Academy will hold their graduation celebration this Sunday at 2:00 pm at C3. All are invited to come out and celebrate this special event with us.