A Thanksgiving Challenge

I had breakfast this morning, two eggs, toast, honey, and a glass of juice. Actually I eat breakfast most any morning. Before I ate breakfast I woke up in comfortable bed, cleaned myself up in our bathroom that has running water, a toilet, and a shower. I drove my daughter to her school bus stop in my nice Dodge pickup with the fuel tank almost full. When I returned three basically worthless dogs greeted me, and then I went back into the house I call my own to eat breakfast with Susie. After breakfast I got back into my pickup and drove to my heated office, carrying my fancy mug full with hot tea, lemon-ginger green tea. I turned on the computer and sat in my comfortable chair to begin my day of work. In a little while I will drive back home to eat some lunch and then return to work. This evening I will gather with others here at the church and teach another lesson on the topic of salvation. When we’re finished I will return home, and before crawling back into that comfy-cozy bed I will probably use my notebook computer, read a while, and what the heck I might even have a snack before I kiss my beautiful wife good night.Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but do we realize just how much there is to be grateful for? Most of us do not spend a lot of time worrying whether or not we are going to eat breakfast, or lunch, or dinner. If anything we think about what we would like to have and worry about eating too much. Likewise we do not arrange our day around the getting of water, just to live, never mind taking a shower or watering the shrubs.I’ll spare you from recapping my day in this way. I think you understand what I am getting at, but I would like to challenge you to take a day this week and literally, from the moment you get up until you turn the lights out, give thanks to God for everything throughout your day that should make you grateful. Let it be a warm-up for Thanksgiving. If you take up my challenge I would love for you to tell me about it afterwards –theGermanShepherd@juno.com; PastorHans, 4175 Abeto Street, La grange, Ca 95329.Would you be interested in some pastor’s note desert? I thought you would be: “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 (NLT). “Thank you God for the wisdom, the instruction, and the goodness of your written word (the Bible), and for the free access we have to it. Would you please help us with living it?”To God be all glory, love you, Pastor HansPS. All of the sermons this month are from 1 Thessalonians, I encourage you to read it each week in preparation, and of course I encourage you come to hear them.