Thanksgiving, a time of family gatherings, carving turkeys, football games, and a time off for some. However, Thanksgiving is something needed every day of our life. What are you thankful for? What needs your attention? What do you need to relinquish? When was the last time you told someone thank you? When did you last thank God for all you are and for all you have?

I am thankful for the Louisiana Conference, the Cabinet, our District Superintendent, our Mission Zone Director, the possibilities of cooperative ministry, and this church.  I am thankful for my wife, my families, my friends, my health, a home, and food.  I am thankful for the leaders of our church, our staff, and everyone that has been receptive to our ministries.  I am thankful for our worship services, the youth group, the after school special, the mother's day out program, TAP DANCE, WOW, JOY, the choirs, and STAIRS.  I am thankful!

I am thankful to God for calling me here.  I know there have been many changes, but I know God has a plan for our church.  I am thankful for God's faithfulness.  'For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope' (Jeremiah 29:11).

I am going to give thanks to God for everything.  I am going to ask that you do the same.  I am going to tell every one of you thank you for helping, for praying, forgiving, for sharing, and for seeing what God has planned for you and our church.  I am going to relinquish the past to God and know that the future is bright because of god's faithfulness.  I am going to forget Katrina and not let her fury trouble me any longer.  I am going to forget the way I used to 'do it' and learn new ways of doing it.  I am thankful that I can do it.

I will be 50 this month.  I am thankful that God has allowed me to experience so many things.  I am thankful for a seminary education, for wonderful churches in Missouri, and for the opportunity to serve in New Orleans, Louisisana. I am thankful for all I serve, the thirsty I give water to, the sick I help, and those I visit.  I am thankful!

I am thankful that regardless of what I do or do not do, God's will, will be done.  I am thankful regardless of what the church does or does not do, God's will, will be done.  I am thankful for grace, the unmerited love of God that is freely given to all, and there is nothing I or you can ever do to deserve it.  I am thankful.

I am thankful 'For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with [God].  Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing' (1Thessalonians 5:9-11).

Use this month and all the days of your life to give thanks to God.  Be thankful for what we have, for what we can share, for those we can serve, and remember to be thankful when others give, share, aand serve you.  I am in a thankful way today.  I pray you are too.  May God's richest blessings continue to be upon each of you and may God's love be shared by you for evermore.

Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving!  Thank you God! Thank you God!  Thank you God! Thank each of you! Thank each of you! Thank each of you!  I am thankful.